Tottenham close to Archie Gray agreement with Joe Rodon in talks over Leeds return — The Athletic 1/7/24
By Nancy Froston, David Ornstein and more
Tottenham Hotspur are nearing an agreement to sign Archie
Gray from Leeds United with defender Joe Rodon in talks to move back to Elland
Road on a permanent deal.
Leeds say the two deals are separate, with Spurs set to pay
£40million ($50.7m) for Gray and Rodon heading the other way for £10m. The
Spurs view is that they are paying £25m-30m for Gray with Rodon part of that
agreement.
Gray has already completed his medical ahead of his proposed
move to Tottenham, while Leeds are doing paperwork on Rodon with that slightly
delayed by the player being in Las Vegas. Gray will sign a six-year contract
with the north London side and that deal is expected to be completed later
today (Monday).
The deal to sell Gray will likely put Leeds in a good
position regarding the EFL and Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules
(PSR) and should mean they are not under pressure to sell any more assets this
summer, unless players request to leave.
Rodon spent last season at Elland Road, where he made 50
appearances in all competitions at centre-back. Leeds retained an interest in
signing him for the upcoming season once his loan deal expired but the Welshman
has been subject to interest from a number of clubs.
Gray’s exit is expected to be confirmed soon after a
dramatic weekend. Brentford came close to signing the 18-year-old for a fee in
the region of £35million and Gray underwent a medical with the west London club
before Leeds rejected that offer on Sunday.
Gray played 52 times in all competitions at both right-back
and central midfield for Leeds boss Daniel Farke last season.
Why Leeds are returning to Rodon
Analysis from Leeds correspondent Nancy Froston
Leeds are keen to bring Rodon back to the club after an
impressive season spent on loan playing at right centre-back. Signing the
26-year-old permanently would strengthen Farke’s defensive ranks after a
largely positive season for the back line. Depth in that position would be a
concern if a return for Rodon had been out of the question this summer.
