Leeds United have released a remarkable statement after selling Archie Gray to Tottenham for £30m, blaming the teenager’s release clause for his departure.
Gray’s move to Spurs was confirmed on Tuesday morning, with the 18-year-old leaving his boyhood club after making 52 appearances and starring in their run to the Championship play-off final last season.
However, Leeds suffered heartbreak at Wembley as they were beaten 1-0 by Southampton. Following their failure to secure promotion back to the Premier League, Leeds were left in the position of having to raise funds this summer, and have revealed they reluctantly allowed Gray to leave after Spurs triggered a release clause in his contract.
A club statement on Tuesday morning read: ‘Leeds United can confirm Archie Gray has completed a permanent transfer to Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur for an undisclosed fee, after the North London outfit met a release clause that was triggered by the club’s failure to get promoted at the first attempt.
‘Understanding the attraction of Premier League and European football, the club, with a heavy heart, agreed the transfer, but the move has strengthened the board’s resolve to ultimately return Leeds to a position where it can meet the footballing ambitions of even its brightest stars.
Archie Gray has completed his £30m move from Leeds to Tottenham
He put pen to paper on the deal on Tuesday morning, as Spurs beat off competition for his signature
Leeds released a stunning club statement on Tuesday, claiming Gray’s release clause was to blame for his departure
‘Whilst we understand that supporters will be hugely disappointed to lose such a home-grown talent, and a family name so synonymous with Leeds United, the move improves the club’s chance to compete for automatic promotion next season by increasing our ability to build a competitive squad within the league’s financial control regulations.
‘Everyone at Leeds United is heartbroken to see one of our own depart and would like to thank Archie for all his efforts and professionalism. He leaves with the very best wishes for his future career and in the knowledge that Leeds will always be his home.’
Leeds’ statement blaming Gray’s release clause received little sympathy from fans as they raged online at the club’s decision to let Gray go.
‘”Heartbroken”? Just be matter of fact about it, you gambled on promotion last yr by putting the clause in, and bluff has been called so hands tied. Or you’re blaming Archie. Either way this whole thing has been fudged,’ one fan wrote on X.
‘Them pesky clauses you keep putting in contracts. Get in the sea with your “heartbroken” nonsense,’ another added.
‘You need a heart to get it broken,’ one supporter posted alongside multiple money bag emojis, suggesting Leeds had chosen the cash over trying to keep one of their own.
The mood is different at Spurs, though, after they beat off competition for Gray’s signature.
They posted on X: ‘We are delighted to announce the signing of Archie Gray from Leeds United. Welcome to Tottenham Hotspur, Archie!’ alongside a picture of the teenager holding up his Spurs shirt.
Gray, 18, is Spurs’ third signing of the summer after they opted to extend Timo Werner’s loan spell from RB Leipzig for another year, and brought in exciting youngster Lucas Bergvall from Swedish club Djurgarden.
Tottenham had looked set to miss out on Gray on Saturday when Brentford held talks with Leeds over a £35m fee for the midfielder.
This sparked a furious reaction from Leeds fans, as they expressed their dismay at potentially losing one of their homegrown talents, who is also the nephew of club legend, Eddie.
Talks subsequently broke down between Brentford and Leeds, but Tottenham swooped in to get their man, and it has not gone down well with Leeds’s fanbase.
But Tottenham have continued their busy start to the transfer window as they look to build on a promising first season under Ange Postecoglou.
Spurs narrowly missed out on Champions League football last term after losing form in the final weeks of the season, and Postecoglou admitted he needed to strengthen his squad this summer to take his team to the next level.
Gray will bring versatility to the north London club, having operated in central midfield and at right back for Leeds.
He has already got Tottenham fans excited about what he could bring to the team after footage re-emerged of him putting in a stunning display against Chelsea in the FA Cup last season.
Leeds have signed Joe Rodon for £10m after he spent last season on loan at the club
Gray’s arrival at Spurs also marks the end of another Tottenham career, with Rodon moving to Elland Road permanently in a separate £10m deal.
The 26-year-old defender moved to Tottenham in 2020 from Swansea, but was limited to 24 appearances in his first two seasons at the club.
He was loaned to out to Ligue 1 outfit Rennes for the 2022-23 season, and then spent last year on loan at Leeds.
Rodon was a regular fixture in Daniel Farke’s side, and has now joined Leeds for good as they aim to bounce back from their play-off misery next season.
