It has already been a tumultuous summer window for Leeds United with so many players departing the club and only four coming in, and Robbie Fowler has commented on one bit of business.
Leeds confirmed the arrival of Jayden Bogle from Sheffield United on Saturday night for £5m, Leeds addressing the lack of options the club have at right-back after many Elland Road exits this summer.
It comes after Luke Ayling, Cody Drameh, Rasmus Kristensen, Jamie Shackleton and Connor Roberts have all left Daniel Farke’s side. Joe Rodon, Alex Cairns and Joe Rothwell have all signed for Leeds so far.
In terms of sales, the club have sold six players and the one that stands out is Archie Gray. His £40m move to Tottenham came largely because of the club needing a lump of cash for Profit & Sustainability reasons.
Fowler comments on ‘brutal’ sale Leeds sale of Archie Gray
Leeds even admitted in their statement following the sale of Gray that they were “heartbroken” to sell the Thorp Arch academy product, largely because of the family dynasty he leaves behind at Elland Road.
Of course, grandfather Frank, great uncle Eddie, father Andy and younger brother Harry have all pulled on the white of Leeds. Indeed, Harry Gray played in the club’s first friendly of the summer against Harrogate.
Speaking in his column with The Mirror (21/07, p73), former Leeds striker Fowler commented on the sale of Gray and the backlash received for doing so, saying it’s the “price you pay” for failure to get promoted.
“Sadly, for fans at Elland Road, that’s just the brutal reality of not being in the Premier League. If they’d gone back up I’m certain Gray may have stayed. The Gray family will probably have mixed emotions, too.
“Especially Leeds legend Eddie. But until Leeds are an established Premier League club again, losing players like Archie is the price you pay [for not being in the Premier League],” Fowler said about Gray.
Gray’s exit now has two silver linings in Leeds United duo
His departure meant Leeds could strike a deal for Rodon, with a quarter of the fee Tottenham paid going back to Spurs for the permanent signing of the Wales defender. A move that appeased angry supporters.
But after Friday night’s win over Harrogate, the inclusion of 15-year-old wonderkid Harry Gray has also helped Leeds fans rid their frustration at the sale of Archie to Spurs, with the youngster looking excellent.
He could be the next in line to shine for Leeds and follow the family dynasty. Josh Warrington recently told LeedsUnited.News that he hopes Leeds can get promoted and re-sign Gray for a club-record fee.
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