Leeds United brace for summer Ilia Gruev offers as Oliver Skipp transfer mooted at Elland Road
Leeds United are already “bracing” for offers for Ilia Gruev and Archie Gray as they consider a move for Tottenham midfielder Oliver Skipp, according to Carlton Palmer.
Reports emerged suggesting the Whites would be willing to sell the 18-year-old midfielder during the summer transfer window and potentially replace him with the exit-bound Spurs man [The Athletic, 13 June].
Although pundit Palmer believes the 23-year-old’s wages could be an issue, he admits Skipp would be a “fantastic” signing for Daniel Farke’s signing, especially if they were to lose one or two of their big-name stars in midfield.
As quoted by Football League World (14 June) he said: “Oliver Skipp is a tremendously talented 23-year-old from Spurs, Farke took him to Norwich in 2021 where they eventually won the Championship at a canter.
“While he has played and has some game time at Spurs, he’s not playing regularly, so a loan move would make a lot of sense. A stumbling block could be his £40,000-a-week salary.
“I think Leeds are bracing themselves for offers for Archie Gray or Gruev. There’s still a lot of interest in [Wilfried] Gnonto and [Crysencio] Summerville, so again it’s going to be a busy summer for Leeds in terms of goings-in and out.
“Skipp has been there and won the Championship, this would be a fantastic signing if Leeds can pull it off.”
Will Leeds United sell Archie Gray and Ilia Gruev in the summer transfer window at Elland Road?
Having missed out on promotion back to the Premier League this summer, there has almost been an inevitability around Leeds United that some of the biggest names in Farke’s squad could depart this summer.
From the minute the full-time whistle was blown in the playoff final, Summerville and Gray’s futures have been the subject of discussion while Gruev has also repeatedly been linked with moves away from Elland Road.
If players that were so influential in Farke’s campaign last season do depart, Leeds are going to need to replace them with other genuine difference makers and at Championship level, Skipp can be just that.
He may not be quite as exciting as Gray, but he knows how the Whites boss plays and he knows how to get out of the Championship. If he hit the ground running at Elland Road, he could be an excellent addition.
In other Leeds United news, an update has emerged around Junior Firpo’s future at Elland Road ahead of the summer window
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