Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly on the cusp of making their first permanent signing of the summer transfer window in a swap deal with Leeds United.
After agonisingly missing out on Champions League football with a fifth-placed finish in the 2023-24 Premier League season, the latest rebuild under Ange Postecoglou is underway.
The Spurs boss is after reinforcements in all areas of the field and has already seen one player head to North London for 2024-25, as Timo Werner has returned on a season-long loan from RB Leipzig.
Now, the Lilywhites are understood to be on the verge of making their first permanent acquisition of the window, as The Athletic reports that Archie Gray is set to join on a six-year contract.
The 2006-born Englishman became one of the most sought-after prospects in the Championship on account of a brilliant 2023-24 campaign, in which he contributed two assists from 52 matches in all competitions.
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Joe Rodon 'to join Leeds' as part of Gray deal
All of Liverpool, Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Arsenal were reported to have taken a liking to Gray, who earned his stars as both a right-back and central midfielder during Leeds' run to the Championship playoff final.
The Whites suffered Wembley agony in a 1-0 loss to Southampton that day, harming their hopes of keeping hold of Gray, in spite of the fact that he extended his contract until 2028 back in January.
A move to Brentford appeared to be on the cards at one stage, but a deal with Thomas Frank's side collapsed, allowing Tottenham to swoop in with a successful player-plus-cash offer.
The total package will reportedly be worth around £40m, as Tottenham will fork out around £25m to £30m in straight cash to sign Gray, while Joe Rodon will return to Elland Road permanently.
The Wales defender shone for Daniel Farke's men during a loan spell last season, and Leeds' desire to reunite with him has been well-documented, but their failure to earn promotion to the Premier League had seemingly put paid to that idea.
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However, Rodon is now poised to return to Leeds as part of the Gray agreement, although Leeds apparently believe that the two transactions are separate, with Spurs paying £40m for Gray and Rodon joining in a separate £10m deal.
The former has reportedly already completed his medical ahead of signing a Tottenham contract until 2030, although Rodon's Leeds reunion is held up by the centre-back enjoying his holidays in Las Vegas.
Which Tottenham players could leave to make room for Gray?
With Gray proving his worth as both a right-back and central midfielder in 2023-24, the 18-year-old's imminent arrival in North London could trigger a couple of exits in both positions.
Firstly, Emerson Royal could be demoted to third-choice right-back behind Pedro Porro and Gray if the latter quickly establishes himself in that position, and a move to either Italy or Saudi Arabia might be on the cards for the Brazilian.
Meanwhile, midfield duo Oliver Skipp and Giovani Lo Celso are surplus to requirements in North London, while all-time record signing Tanguy Ndombele has already had his contract terminated.
Ben Knapton
