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‘Different Breed’: Leeds United Star Completes Medical Ahead of £40 Million Tottenham Move

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Tottenham Hotspur have all but completed their move to sign Leeds United midfielder Archie Gray this summer, with just a few pieces of paperwork to finalise before announcing the deal.

Archie Gray Set to Become Tottenham Player

Spurs Take Advantage of Brentford Failed Gray Move

On the afternoon of June 29, David Ornstein reported that Brentford had agreed a £35 million fee for 18-year-old Gray, with the Bees agreeing a medical for the youngster.

However, the next day, the transfer took a twist as The Athletic revealed that Leeds had rejected Brentford’s bid for the 2023/24 Championship Young Player of the Season, leaving the Bees stung in their pursuit of the midfielder.

Read More: ‘Happy to Stay’: Tottenham Sent Message on Future of ‘Unbelievable’ Defender

Not long after this, Ornstein returned with news that Tottenham had begun working on a deal to bring Gray to North London and on July 1, the journalist confirmed that the Leeds man had completed a medical and signed all the documents to secure a six-year deal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with defender Joe Rodon going the other way.

What Kind of Player Tottenham Are Getting

Gray was one of the best English midfielders in the country last season, making 52 appearances in all competitions in 2023/24 as Leeds finished 3rd in the Championship. They were very close to making an immediate return to the Premier League but were beaten 1-0 by Russell Martin’s Southampton in the Play-Off Final.

Gray has been heralded by many for his excellent ability on the ball in both the passing and carrying phases. He is also capable of playing at right-back, his 1-v-1 defensive nous another big part of his game.

Leeds’ former director of football Victor Orta spoke to La Media Inglesa (via The Yorkshire Evening Post) in 2021 about what he thought of the teenage midfielder when he was coming through the ranks at Elland Road, saying he gave him the same vibes as a certain Premier League great once did.

“I remember seeing Sergio Aguero for the first time and saying ‘Who is this? It’s happened only a few times to me but Archie gives me the same feeling.”

Team-mate Glen Kamara even described Gray as a ‘different breed’.

Speaking at a post-match interview last season, Kamara heaped praise on Gray: “Obviously Archie, don’t have to speak about him! He’s just a different breed, only, what 17/18.”

Read More: Tottenham Hotspur Set Key Condition for Signing of £33.7 Million ‘Huge Perfectionist’

If Orta and Kamara’s words and Gray’s Leeds performances are anything to go by, the teenager could soon be hitting the ground running at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, leaving Brentford reeling about what could have been had they signed the young superstar.

Tottenham Hotspur Set Key Condition For Signing of £33.7 Million ‘Huge Perfectionist’

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Tottenham Hotspur Make Decision On 'Perfectionist' Defender - Last Word On Sports
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Tottenham Hotspur are working hard behind the scenes to strengthen their squad for the 2024/25 season after having already confirmed Timo Werner’s return on loan. It seems that they now have an interest in signing AS Monaco defender Vanderson.

Tottenham Hotspur Interested in Vanderson Signing

What Will Need To Happen for Tottenham To Push for Vanderson?

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that the Lilywhites are showing interest in the potential signing of the Brazilian full-back from the Ligue 1 club in the summer transfer window. But there are going to be some hurdles to get past for this deal to progress.

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That is because the journalist adds that Spurs will only push to sign Vanderson if they are able to sell Emerson Royal to another club. He is touted to be one of the options on their wishlist once they are able to replace their own underperforming Brazilian full-back. Romano also adds that a move for the AS Monaco defender will not be an easy one due to their demands.

The journalist claims that Tottenham, “appreciates” the 22-year-old defender but that Monaco will be asking for a fee of around £33,7 million to let him go. But Romano states that Emerson is expected to leave Tottenham and that a move to AC Milan is his priority for the summer transfer window.

What Can Tottenham Get in Vanderson?

Spurs probably developed an interest for Vanderson after watching his admirable performances in Ligue 1. The Brazilian full-back, who has been hailed as a “huge perfectionist” in the past, produced some admirable performances for Monaco last season. In 20 league appearances, the 22-year-old scored three goals and also provided an assist.

Read More: Do Tottenham Hotspur Need Champions League Football?

What helps him stand out is that Vanderson can play both as a right-back and even as a right-winger if needed. He is hard-working defensively and can make clever runs down the right wing to create big chances with his impressive crossing ability. But for Spurs to consider accelerating their interest in him, they’ll first need to sell Emerson for a decent transfer fee and can then look to use those funds to sign another Brazilian full-back.