Leeds United knew immediately after their play-off final defeat to Southampton that some potentially difficult decisions lied ahead.
Chairman Paraag Marathe came out and did a long interview with the press just a matter of days after the loss at Wembley, addressing various key topics surrounding the club moving forward.
He quickly acknowledged that at least one major sale was going to be needed, not only to provide Daniel Farke with funds for the transfer window, but also to remain compliant with PSR.
Marathe was also asked more specifically about the future of Archie Gray, of which he gave no guarantees as to whether he would be staying or going.
And unfortunately due to Leeds‘ pressure to sell on or around the end of the financial year of June 30, Gray is the one who has moved on having attracted the most interest of the club’s highest value assets.
- READ MORE: Leeds United have just made a decision on Junior Firpo which looks very telling for his future
What Gray’s camp have been doing since play-off final
It is apparent just how reluctant Leeds are to lose Gray this summer solely based on their official statement explaining his departure, in which they say they are ‘heartbroken’.
It is said that Leeds were also more open to the sales of Crysencio Summerville, Willy Gnonto and Illan Meslier before Gray, but none of them attracted anything similar in the way of interest he did.
And given Leeds’ stance of needing to sell has been clear ever since the play-off final defeat to Southampton, the Athletic has revealed what Gray’s camp have been doing in the last few weeks.
It is said despite Gray’s willingness to remain at Leeds for another season, the 18-year-old and those close to him have been ‘assessing their options’ for over a month.
This is because they were ‘under the impression’ that Leeds would have to sell him in order to remain compliant with PSR.
And while at no stage did he request a transfer, it became apparent over the weekend that he had two choices – either go to Brentford, or go to Tottenham.
Gray’s camp frustrated at Leeds’ handling of situation
As per the same article by the Athletic, it is said Gray’s camp have been left frustrated at the club’s handling of his move.
The potential of Gray staying had remained a possibility until the very end but the pressure on Leeds behind-the-scenes to make a sale meant a move had to happen.
Unfortunately due to the lack of interest in other plays, Gray was the one who had to go. Hopefully he does not feel as though he has been pushed out despite the clear frustration.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
