Archie Gray family stance on Leeds United emerges after summer Tottenham transfer
Archie Gray’s family were not excited to see him join Tottenham, but there is no rift between them and Leeds United, according to Graham Smyth.
The 18-year-old midfielder’s stay at Elland Road came to an end on Tuesday (2 July) as he completed a summer move to North London which saw Joe Rodon return to Daniel Farke’s side on a permanent basis.
Social media rumours had suggested that the Gray family and the teenager himself were frustrated by Leeds’ decision to sell him, but Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Smyth has suggested the relationship remains stable.
Speaking on the Inside Elland Road podcast (4 July, 13:45) he said: “I think it was really important there was no acrimony and from what we understand from both sides there is none.
“There have been all kinds of rumours of rifts, now I don’t think the Gray family will have been whooping and hollering over the weekend at the prospect of Archie Gray leaving Leeds, in fact, I know that they weren’t.
“I think there would be a measure of disappointment that he’s left Leeds after a single season and not really in the way that he would have wanted to with Leeds being in the Premier League.
“But there is no rift between the club and the family and that’s just one of the hares that has been set running over the last few days.”
How much did Archie Gray leave Leeds United for in summer transfer window?
The Gray family’s connection with Leeds United is not something you often find in modern football and it would have been a great shame had that been damaged or sacrificed as part of Archie Gray’s exit this summer.
Ultimately, with a release clause in his contract and a big money offer tabled by Tottenham, the Whites were not in a position to decline the move, especially having missed out on promotion back to the Premier League.
While all parties involved in the deal would have hoped Gray’s time at Elland Road would have at least ended in the Premier League, they will understand that in the world of football, it is hard to manufacture the perfect exit.
Hopefully, Gray will return to Elland Road in some capacity in the future and until then, it doesn’t seem like Eddie or Harry Gray will be in any rush to cut their ties to the club as some supporters have feared in recent days.
In other Leeds United news, a Wilfried Gnonto exit update has emerged at Elland Road amid links with Brighton this summer
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