Leeds United to ‘lose next Harry Gray already’ as Tottenham agree new transfer fee
Leeds have been promoted to the Premier League and will have to learn how to compete with the biggest clubs in England again.
That’s not just on the pitch, but off it too, and they’re quickly learning that this won’t always be easy.
Harry Gray was the latest of the famous bunch to make his senior debut at Elland Road last season, but his successor will miss out on that chance with a move to Tottenham ready.
Tottenham swoop in to poach Leeds academy star
The Whites are set to lose one of their brightest academy stars to Spurs, with Oliver Boast, 16, deciding to leave in favour of a move to North London.
Boast made his debut for Leeds Under-21s when he was just 15, and was regarded as the next in line after Gray in West Yorkshire.
Beren Cross has reported that Leeds will receive a seven-figure fee for the young striker, but his move could still leave a bitter taste in the mouth.
It will bring back memories of Archie Gray, who also traded Elland Road for Tottenham, albeit for a much higher fee last summer.
Leeds United are losing a prized academy asset to Tottenham. Oliver Boast, who played for the club's U21s at 15 and has scored for England U16s, has decided to leave.
— Beren Cross (@BerenCross) June 26, 2025
Striker was behind Harry Gray in pecking order. Seven-figure fee has been agreed. #lufc https://t.co/i0gCgQ4I0f
Leeds need players for the here and now
The sentiment among Leeds fans on social media regarding this news is nothing like when Gray was sold to Tottenham.
The key difference back then was: Gray was already proven at first-team level. It was accepted that Leeds were losing a superstar.
That may well turn out to be the case with Boast as well, although there’s not enough evidence to suggest either way.
Many Leeds fans accept that it’s part of modern football to lose your best players to the so-called bigger clubs in the Premier League.
Of course, they will have ambitions to become one of those giants again.
But for now, most supporters realise that the club needs players for the here and now so they can establish themselves in the Premier League and build from there.
| Player | Signed From | Fee |
| Jaka Bijol | Udinese | £15m |
| Lukas Nmecha | Wolfsburg | Free |
It’s a magical thing to have wonderkids breaking through into the first team, but that’s less likely while Leeds are fighting for their lives.
Daniel Farke and his recruitment team need to focus on players who are ready to thrive in the Premier League now, with Boast likely to be forgotten for several years.
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