"Wouldn't surprise me" - Pundit moots Archie Gray loan move to Leeds United after Spurs switch | OneFootball

Carlton Palmer believes Archie Gray should move on from Leeds United to the Premier League team that offer him the most game time.

Leeds United midfielder Archie Gray is on the verge of a move to Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur, but former Whites player Carlton Palmer believes Brentford may have been the better option for his development next season.

Following the defeat to Southampton in the play-off final, the Daily Mail reported that the Whites may have to generate £100 million in player sales following their failure to secure promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

FLW exclusively revealed that Brentford were leading the race to sign the 18-year-old on Saturday afternoon, with David Ornstein subsequently confirming that a medical was booked with the Bees for Gray later that day after a fee in the region of £35 million was believed to have been agreed.

It has since been reported that Brentford saw their offer for the 18-year-old knocked back by Leeds due to the structure of the transfer, despite Gray being granted permission to undergo a medical with the Bees. Not only that, but Spurs successfully hijacked the deal for Gray, too.

Sky Sports journalist Lyall Thomas has revealed that Gray completed the first part of his Tottenham medical last night (30 June), and the two clubs have entered the stage of tying up the last few loose ends.

Fabrizio Romano then revealed that Gray has completed his medical and signed a contract valid until June 2030. Tottenham have agreed a fee of closer to £40 million with the Whites, with Joe Rodon returning to Leeds for around £10 million.

Ex-England international and former Leeds man Carlton Palmer believes Gray's decision should have been to move to a club where he was guaranteed regular first-team game time in the Premier League, but is also excited about the prospect of the youngster playing for Tottenham.

However, he has offered up the possibility of Gray returning to Leeds at some point in 2024-25 on loan, if he is not getting the minutes he needs upon arrival in North London.

Speaking to Football League World, Palmer said: "Archie Gray has been in London ahead of a proposed deal to sign for Brentford, but it has emerged at the 11th hour that a deal has collapsed.

"This is due to the clubs being unable to agree a mutually satisfactory payment structure, so this has paved the way for Tottenham Hotspur to swoop in, who have shown an interest in him.

"It's believed Gray had agreed personal terms at Brentford ahead of the move, and was there waiting to have that medical but he's now returned to West Yorkshire and is going to have to head back to London to have that medical with Tottenham. "The problem is that although Daniel Farke would have wanted to keep his best players, they were also worried about complying financially, and unfortunately the sale of Gray was inevitable. "It's believed a payment structure has been agreed with Tottenham, and he's soon to finalise the deal in London.

"Now, I think Gray is a terrifically talented young player. He's only 18 years of age."

"I would have thought that long-term, Spurs would be a great move; but short-term, I would have thought he would have more chance of playing regular first-team football at Brentford.

"I would have thought he would play more at Brentford but it's a fantastic move for the young kid, and we'll have to wait and see how things transpire from now."

Leeds United's decision to sell Archie Gray has come as a surprise to many

Gcray's priority should be with a club that will offer him regular game time and a clear pathway into the first-team, albeit Spurs could be the best of the Premier League's elite in that sense under Ange Postecoglou.

If they can offer Gray the footballing opportunities he requires to continue his development and to continue improving, then this could be a perfect fit for the youngster, who was almost ever-present with Leeds during their promotion push last season.

Gray's development is the most crucial thing, and he himself will know that the first-team opportunities are there at Elland Road, where they may not be so easy to find elsewhere. However, Leeds can't stand in the way of a player with huge potential.

Their financial situation dictates the need for sales this summer, and it's fair to suggest that some of the funds raised will need to be put towards an aggressive approach to the transfer market, with Joe Rodon the ideal start in that sense.