Mycampusplug
Leeds Heartbroken as Archie Gray’s £40m Move to Tottenham Shocks Fans—Release Clause Revealed
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you.
Leeds United have explained why Archie Gray made the £40million move to Tottenham Hotspur and spoken about the 18-year-old’s release clause.
The teenage midfielder had not been desperate to depart his boyhood club but Leeds’ financial position after missing out on the riches of Premier League promotion, with a reported £190million still to be paid in transfer fee instalments, meant that Gray’s exit would help ease some of that burden, even if it was a difficult departure to take for the supporters.
Brentford agreed terms with the youngster but then saw their £40million in total deal collapse as they could not agree on the structure of the payment terms. Spurs jumped in and agreed a deal with Leeds United that cost just over £25million plus Joe Rodon heading in the opposite direction in a package also worth around £40million.
Gray, who played 52 matches for Leeds last season, penned a six-year contract with Spurs and his boyhood club explained his departure in their statement about the move.
“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,” it read.
Later they added: “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.
“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.”
