David Woods

Sat 18 January 2020 8:44, UK

Leeds United can land one of their major January targets if they’re willing to stump up the cash for him. 

Football Insider has claimed that Leeds can sign striker Andre Gray from Watford for a £2m loan fee and the entirety of his wages, said to be £80k-a-week.

The thinking is that this would price Leeds out of a deal but we’re not so sure that’s necessarily the case.

According to Athletic journalist Phil Hay, Leeds have already contacted Watford about Gray but were knocked back earlier in the window.

It’s been said that Leeds were willing to pay a £1m loan fee for Che Adams with the move becoming permanent for £10m+ if they won promotion. His wages would be significant as well.

Leeds got a financial boost from the FA Cup game against Arsenal and that can be used to offset profit & sustainability figures.

However, the one big difference between Gray and Adams is that Leeds would be gambling on promotion to effectively claw back the loan fee for the Southampton player and paying £11m+ for a permanent signing.

The deal for Gray – if the loan started on Monday and ended on May 31st, would cost Leeds £2m plus 19 x £80,000, which is another £1.52m. That’s a total loan cost of £3.52m.

That’s a hell of a lot of money but if it was going to guarantee Leeds promotion?

Talking exclusively to MOT Leeds News on Friday, former England and Leeds goalkeeper Paul Robinson said Gray would be a “game-changer” for the club in terms of their promotion prospects.

He’s played with Gray at Burnley and thinks he would be the “perfect signing for Leeds.

The other question is, how keen are Watford to move Gray on? If this is their opening gambit and clubs don’t bite, there’s always a chance that they could drop the fee and/or subsidise the wages.

It’s always good to have a back-up plan and even if Leeds don’t go for Gray now, he could well be one for later.

In other Leeds United news, ‘Noises from out East…’ – Phil Hay delivers update on reported Leeds move for Jarrod Bowen