Leeds United 'devastated' as Chelsea and Liverpool target seals £30m transfer

Tottenham Hotspur have completed the signing of Leeds United star Archie Gray for a fee of around £25 - £30 million in a deal that has left the Yorkshire outfit 'devastated'.

In an emotional message shared on social media this morning, the Championship club said farewell to their 18-year-old homegrown talent, who enjoyed a scintillating breakthrough campaign last time out. A post from the club on social media platform X read: "Heartbroken to see one of our own depart, Archie Gray leaves with the best wishes of everyone at #LUFC, as he joins Tottenham."

The deal is a major coup for Ange Postecoglou and Spurs with the teenager looking the real deal in the Championship as he made 52 appearances in all competitions. Gray will add bite to the London side's midfield as the Aussie boss prepares for his second season in charge.

Brentford had emerged as frontrunners for the player over the weekend with the Leeds United man even heading to West London for a medical, before Spurs muscled their way into pole position. Chelsea and Liverpool had also been credited with interest in the player.

In a lengthy statement posted on the club website, Leeds United confirmed that Tottenham Hotspur had met a release clause to green light the transfer after the Whites failed to achieve promotion to the Premier League last season. The club added: "Understanding the attraction of Premier League and European football, the club, with a heavy heart, agreed the transfer, but the move has strengthened the board’s resolve to ultimately return Leeds to a position where it can meet the footballing ambitions of even its brightest stars.

"Whilst we understand that supporters will be hugely disappointed to lose such a home-grown talent, and a family name so synonymous with Leeds United, the move improves the club’s chance to compete for automatic promotion next season by increasing our ability to build a competitive squad within the league’s financial control regulations.

"Everyone at Leeds United is heartbroken to see one of our own depart and would like to thank Archie for all his efforts and professionalism. He leaves with the very best wishes for his future career and in the knowledge that Leeds will always be his home."

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Gray has put pen to paper on a six-year deal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and will take on the number 14 shirt. That digit was previously worn by Ivan Perisic, as well as midfield maestros Luka Modric and Gus Poyet.

As part of the deal, Tottenham Hotspur defender Joe Rodon has made last term's loan move to Leeds United permanent, which somewhat softens the blow of losing Gray for the Championship club.