Archie Gray became the youngest player to captain Tottenham Hotspur in a competitive game when he wore the armband in the 4-0 defeat at Brentford.
The former Leeds midfielder has emerged as one of the most important players at Tottenham over the last 18 months and has become a popular member of the squad.
Spurs have spent the most money in the Premier League this summer, and have brought in players such as Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes and Savinho for big fees and wages.
However, that has not improved their form on the pitch, and Spurs have lost their first two games of the Premier League season, including a 2-0 home defeat against Newcastle United on Saturday.
And now Gray is being linked with a move away from Spurs ahead of the transfer deadline.
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Premier League rivals want Archie Gray
Several Premier League clubs wanted to sign Gray when he left Leeds to join Tottenham, who made him the fourth most expensive 18-year-old in 2024.
Brentford were among the clubs who wanted him then, and according to the Sun, they remain keen to explore a late-window deal for the young midfielder.
Keith Andrews is a fan of the player, and Brentford are prepared to pounce if the midfielder is open to leaving Tottenham before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.
Gray started at right back in the defeat against Newcastle, but it is not his preferred position. He wants to play regularly in the middle of the park.
However, Spurs are now seriously stacked in midfield, with the arrivals of £100m Tonali and £85m Fernandes this summer adding to an already strong group that includes Rodrigo Bentancur, Lucas Bergvall, and Conor Gallagher.
Newcastle showed interest in Gray earlier in the window, but Tottenham made it clear that they have no intention of selling him.
Spurs are expected to reject any approach for the midfielder before Tuesday’s deadline, but it remains to be seen whether Brentford test their resolve.
A return to Leeds seems implausible
It’d be no surprise if Gray wants to leave Tottenham before Tuesday’s transfer deadline due to being played out of position consistently.
Roberto De Zerbi is unlikely to play him in front of £185m worth of midfield talent he just bought this summer, no matter how much he admires the player’s character.
A move to Brentford does not seem far-fetched, but a return to Leeds at this stage of his career seems implausible.
Leeds are stacked with midfield options, and that is one area of the squad that does not require any strengthening at the moment.
There is a possibility he could return to Leeds in the near future if the club continue to develop and become an established Premier League side.
But if he leaves Spurs in the next 48 hours, it seems unlikely that Leeds will be his destination.
