Tottenham advancing on deal to sign Leeds United talent Archie Gray

As per Fabrizio Romano, Tottenham are advancing on a deal to sign Archie Gray from Leeds United.

Negotiations between the two sides are said to be progressing and with Spurs are optimistic on signing Gray, having already held ‘positive talks’ with the player’s camp.

Furthermore, with the player also open to the move, Football.London’s Alasdair Gold has stated that Spurs are growing in confidence that a deal can be struck and hope to book a medical soon.

The news comes following a busy few days for the teenager, who was set to have a medical with Brentford this weekend, after The Bees agreed a potential £40m deal – including bonuses – with Leeds, only for the Yorkshire club to eventually turn down the offer due to the structure of the payments, according to Sky Sports.

However, Gray still looks likely to make the move to London this summer, albeit to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, rather than the Gtech Community Stadium.

Having not made a single senior appearance before last season, the 18-year-old was promoted from the academy by then-new manager Daniel Farke, and subsequently became a stalwart in the German’s side.

Gray appeared in all but two of Leeds’ fixtures, making 40 starts and claiming the EFL championship young player of the season as his boyhood side narrowly missed out on Promotion to Southampton in the playoff final.

Predominantly playing as a right-back who tucks into midfield and takes up central positions, Gray stood out with a comfort-ability and maturity in possession that belie his years, able to cleverly use his body and quick feet to retain the ball, or progress play by rounding his man or executing line-breaking passes.

As such, with these traits, and his experience as a central midfielder throughout his youth career, the England under-21 international would make as an excellent option for Spurs in midfield or at right-back, where his inverted role at Leeds is similar to that of Pedro Porro’s in Ange Postecoglou’s side.

If a deal is completed, Gray would mark Spurs’ third official signing of this transfer window, but first completely new arrival. Precocious Swedish midfielder Lucas Bergvall signed in January to join in July for £8.5m from Djurgårdens IF, whilst Timo Werner’s initial six-month loan deal from RB Leipzig was extended until the end of June 2025.

Having finished in fifth place and qualified for Europa league football last campaign, The Lilywhites are looking to bolster their squad ahead of an increased fixture schedule this coming season, which they will kick off away to Championship winners Leicester City on Monday 19 August.

Travis Levison | Get Football