Leeds United missed out on promotion last season leading to the sale of Archie Gray to Tottenham Hotspur as The Whites worked to stay within the EFL’s Profit and Sustainability rules. Moreover, one club chief noted how devasted everyone at the club was to sell him.
Gray played 52 games for Leeds last season across all competitions, racking up two assists. Despite being young, he showcased his versatility by filling in as a right-back and taking on different midfield roles throughout the campaign.
The teenager’s impressive performance last season didn’t go unnoticed by several Premier League clubs. Given that Daniel Farke and his team didn’t manage to secure promotion, it’s no wonder that top-flight teams started showing interest.
Leeds CEO Angus Kinnear: Selling Archie Gray was devastating
Leeds’ statement on the sale communicated the club’s deep sadness, characterizing it as a ‘heartbreaking’ moment. In an interview with The Square Ball podcast, Leeds CEO Angus Kinnear highlighted that the outcome was something no one at Elland Road wanted.
“Nobody wants to sell Archie Gray,” Kinnear said. “I mean everybody at the club. I mean genuinely the club was devastated when we sold Archie Gray, he’s been, he’s been part of the club. People have seen him grow up. Everyone knows his mum, his dad, obviously, his uncle, his granddad.
“In fact his granddad’s come back onto our scouting staff on the south coast across the summer. But you know, we have this fantastic relationship with the family. And of course he’s got a very talented younger brother, and nobody wants to work at Leeds United to sell Archie Gray.
“So it’s very difficult for the fans to see anything positive from that scenario. You know, other than the fact we got a fantastic price for him, and those funds will help support the club and will be reinvested, it’s very difficult to see anything positive from that.”
Archie might not be the only Gray Premier League clubs want as TBR Football reported on Wednesday, citing sources, that Tottenham have already informed Leeds they would like to sign his younger brother, Harry Gray.
It will be interesting to see if Leeds can secure promotion to the Premier League soon to avoid losing another young standout player.
