From May to September was a tough time for Leeds United supporters, and arguably the peak of the heartbreak Leeds fans suffered was the loss of Archie Gray.
It all started when Leeds made unwanted history, amassing over 90 points but being unable to secure promotion to the Premier League paying the price for a slower start than Champions Leicester City and second place Ipswich Town. Then Leeds United’s Wembley woes returned as they failed to break down Southampton, losing out to the Saints in the play-off final as Southampton secured promotion to the Premier League.
This raised plenty of questions about the plight Leeds United could face over the summer as they balanced their ambition to pursue promotion again in 2024/25 with the financial strains of missing out on the Premier League.
Exacerbating matters, there were many stars who naturally felt they deserved to be playing in the top tier of English football. The loss of Crysencio Summerville no doubt hurt but the more painful loss was Archie Gray.
Gray is part of a three generation run of Leeds United players within the family, he was made to play for Leeds United and is undoubtedly one of the most exciting teenagers in world football.
However, in the end, Leeds were forced to sell Gray to Champions League chasing Tottenham Hotspurs, but with minutes hard to come by, a loan move is now expected but not back to Elland Road as many would love to see.
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Victor Orta to bring in Archie Gray
In what would prove to be a devastating turn of events for Leeds United fans to stomach, former Director of Football at Elland Road Victor Orta is planning an audacious move for Gray which would see a ghost from Leeds United’s past snapping up the young man on loan somewhat getting one over on the club.
According to Spanish publication Mucho Deporte, Orta and his new club Seville are “already asking about” bringing Gray in on loan in January with the controversial Orta “positioning” Seville to make a swoop for the England under-21s international.
It is a move that won’t enhance Orta’s legacy at Leeds United by any means, and Leeds United fans will be hoping that if Gray is going anywhere on loan, then he may return to Elland Road.
Leeds United have been linked with young players at top Premier League clubs in January including Liverpool Ace Tyler Morton.