Archie Gray urged to avoid Chelsea move after Leeds United transfer drama
Dan Bardell has urged Archie Gray not to join Chelsea from Leeds United this summer after an offer from Brentford was rejected.
A move to the Bees had looked likely with Graham Smyth reporting (29 June) that a £40m deal was moving closer.
But Smyth then reported via the Yorkshire Evening Post (30 June) that the Whites have rejected the offer after Gray travelled to London for a medical.
He added that Premier League sides Chelsea and Tottenham “remain interested” in the 18-year-old this summer.
Sky Sports and talkSPORT journalist Bardell believes Leeds will miss the Englishman while urging him away from a transfer to the Blues.
Speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News, Bardell said: “He’ll be a massive miss for Leeds.
“You can bring in whatever fee but they won’t be able to use all of that for a replacement midfielder in the Championship.
“Gray and Ampadu is a great midfield setup and just because they didn’t go up this time, if they keep their team together they could easily win the title.
“I would urge Gray to stay away from somewhere like Chelsea because he is developing well at Leeds and he’d be one of six or seven options there. He could easily get lost there.“
Archie Gray set for Leeds United departure
It was always going to be a tough task for Leeds to keep hold of players this summer if acceptable bids came in from the Premier League.
After missing out on promotion via the play-offs at Wembley, the Whites had to deal with the reality of another season in the second tier.
Even with the investment from Red Bull it now appears quite clear that Leeds need a quick player sale to try and comply with Profit and Sustainability rules.
With that being said, it looks like Gray is still set to depart Elland Road with Brentford potentially activating a reported release clause [talkSPORT].
The 18-year-old had a terrific breakout season where he was able to impress playing in midfield and also as a right-back under Daniel Farke.
His versatility made him an asset and with the teenager being a Leeds fan, the story was even sweeter for supporters who related to him.
It is frustrating to potentially lose him to Brentford this summer but a move away did feel inevitable.
In other Leeds news, the club are set to bank £40m for Archie Gray as a “hijack” verdict was dropped.
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