Archie Gray has certainly made an impression at Tottenham Hotspur since swapping Leeds United for the North London club, starring for Ange Postecoglou’s side during pre-season.
The 18-year-old is one of seven players to have been sold by Leeds this summer as The 49ers staged a summer firesale in order to get cash in at Elland Road, having failed to gain promotion during 2023-24.
Gray is the most-expensive sale of the summer at Leeds, costing Spurs £40m. His move saw him become the club’s third-biggest transfer out of the club, behind only Barcelona’s Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips.
During pre-season at Spurs, he has started well. Whether that is Gray playing at centre-back against the likes of Hearts and during Tottenham’s tour of Japan, or catching the eye in two friendles against Bayern.
Gray posts on Instagram as competitive Tottenham debut awaits
That, or simply Gray’s attitude and personality off the pitch raising eyebrows among staff and players in North London. It could have easily been Aston Villa, with talks held a week before his move to Spurs.
Then, travelling to West London to undergo a Brentford medical before choosing Spurs. His move to the North London side allowed Leeds to conduct a permanent £10m move to sign defender Joe Rodon.
Gray took to Instagram following Tottenham’s final pre-season match, a 3-2 loss to Harry Kane and Eric Dier’s Bayern in which he came on at half-time for Pedro Porro at right-back, excited for the new season.
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He said: “Pre-season done, ready for the new season.”
Anthony teases Gray on Instagram following Leeds exit
Like Gray, Jaidon Anthony has left Leeds this summer and will return to the Premier League with parent club Bournemouth. Anthony struggled to make any kind of impression at Leeds during his loan last term.
Indeed, he was rarely first choice and failed to earn a permanent deal. He will now be competing to start at Bournemouth but the chances are, The Cherries may be willing to let him go if clubs are interested.
Anthony commented on Gray’s post, questioning his haircut as Gray gets ready for his Spurs debut – which could be against Leicester next Monday. Anthony said: “Ain’t found a barber in London yet?”