Archie Gray stance on Leeds United return shared already after summer Tottenham transfer
Archie Gray would “love to come back” to Leeds United later in his career and the Elland Road door isn’t closed on him, according to Graham Smyth.
The 18-year-old midfielder has completed his big-money move to Tottenham this summer and the deal to take him to North London didn’t include a sell-on or loan back clause to see him return to Yorkshire [Graham Smyth, 1 July].
While an immediate drop back into the Championship doesn’t appear to be on the cards this summer, Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Smyth believes Gray may follow Sam Byram’s path and sign for Leeds later in his career.
Speaking on the Inside Elland Road podcast (3 July, 26:10) he said: “I should just say, I also don’t think it’s the last time we’ll see Gray on the back of a Leeds shirt necessarily.
“I’m not just talking about Harry, I’m talking about Archie himself. He would still love to come back and play for Leeds and he is young enough for that to be a possibility sometime down the line.
“I don’t even mean on loan from Spurs because I don’t think it’s going to go like that. I’d be surprised if he found himself on loan in the Championship, I think he’ll play in the Premier League but somewhere down the line like Byram has done, I think that kind of scenario would very much appeal to Archie Gray.
“He still very much dreams of playing alongside his brother and if that could happen at Leeds he would be absolutely over the moon.
“I don’t think the door is entirely closed on Archie Gray and Leeds United and he’s only 18 at the end of the day so his career could span another 16 or 17 seasons if he’s lucky and looks after himself. “
How much did Leeds United get from Tottenham for Archie Gray?
While Leeds United fans shouldn’t exactly be rushing to get this season’s shirt with Gray on the back of it, it does appear as though there is confidence around the club that the midfielder may return one day.
Although that doesn’t exactly soften the blow for the supporters after they had to bid farewell to one of their most exciting academy talents ever, it is nice to know that the foundations are still in place for that to happen in the future.
Hopefully, unlike Byram, Gray will be able to return to Elland Road in the top flight once the Whites establish themselves in the Premier League. However, the first job for Daniel Farke’s side is to win promotion out of the Championship.
Even without their teenage sensation, the Whites have a team capable of winning promotion this term and while last season showed it isn’t easy to do, Leeds should be confident of their chances this time around.
In other Leeds United news, a Wilfried Gnonto exit update has emerged at Elland Road as Brighton open summer transfer talks
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