The harsh truths about Leeds United exit emerge as star reveals real reasons for Tottenham move

Archie Gray has broken his silence on his decision to join Tottenham Hotspur this summer and attempted to dispel myths that he was forced out by Leeds United after listing the two biggest factors behind his £40million move earlier this month.

The teenage star has enjoyed a superb breakout campaign in the 2023/24 season as Leeds United narrowly missed out on instant return to the Premier League twice, with their 90-point tally not enough to secure automatic promotion and then the Whites failing to paint a true picture of themselves in the play-off final against Southampton at Wembley.

As the dust settled on their failure to reclaim a place among the elite, it soon became apparent that Leeds would need to secure a major sale by the end of June to appease the strict Profit and Sustainability Rules. And while interest from a number of clubs such as Georginio Rutter, Crysencio Summerville and Willy Gnonto failed to see a deal materialise, it soon became clear that they would be able to sell teenage star Gray.

Indeed, with Brentford initially allowed to discuss his signature, it was Tottenham who ultimately swooped in to sign the teenager in a deal that would break records and easily make Gray one of the 10 most expensive teenagers in world football.

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At the time of the move, it was widely reported that Gray’s sale had occurred against the teenager’s wishes and that Leeds had simply told him he would have to leave to help balance the books and ensure they did not incur a points penalty.

Archie Gray: Teenager sets straight record on Leeds to Tottenham transfer

And while there is still an element of truth to the upcoming sale, Gray has now spoken out while on tour with his new club on their Far East tour, with the teenager quick to clarify the reasons behind the £40million move in a chat with Football.London.

“At the start of the window I didn’t really know anything about[a potential move anywhere]and was content to stay at Leeds, but as soon as I heard Tottenham were coming I thought, ‘I need to go there’,” Gray said.

“It’s a massive club and my dad[former Leeds player Andy Gray]said that too. He came into my room one morning and said ‘look, you’ve got to go to Spurs. It’s a massive club’.

“My grandad (former Leeds star Frank Gray) was saying that as well, he’s obviously done very well in his career, and he said at some point you have to go to one of the biggest clubs in England and he thinks now is the right time and he thinks Spurs are a massive club as well.

“So with people who have been advising me my whole life, I got to listen to them and I wanted to do it too, so that was definitely a huge thing and since then I’ve enjoyed every second of it. So definitely glad I made that decision.”

Gray also claims that Ange Postecoglou was a major factor in securing the move, as his family are also big Celtic fans and the Australian is a respected figure in the club for his previous work at Parkhead.

“It was really positive and most of it was football but he was getting to know who I was as a person,” the teenager said. “Hopefully I did really well but it’s a massive factor that the manager is here and I’ve followed him for a while since he was at Celtic and one of my under-21 managers went to the Australian league so even since then I’ve followed him so yeah he’s a massive factor.”

Gray added: “Obviously I have a Leeds family and I support them as well, but yes, my grandad and dad played for Scotland and supported Celtic. When Ange was there I enjoyed watching them and I still do now.”

Joe Rodon and Son Heung-min influence Gray’s transfer

Gray formed a close bond with Joe Rodon while the pair were together at Leeds United, with the latter spending the season on loan at the Whites before finalising a permanent £10m transfer this summer, on the same day Gray’s move to the other side was completed.

And Gray revealed that Rodon asked Tottenham captain Son Heung-min to look after the teenager in his early days at Spurs and help him settle in.

“I’m really enjoying it and everyone has been brilliant with me so far. I wouldn’t say I’m the hardest guy to get along with, I’m quite easy going and easy to talk to, but everyone has been amazing to me and I’m enjoying the first few weeks,” he said.

Revealing Son’s role, Gray added: “On the pitch and off the pitch he’s been helping me out, it’s just little things. He’s really good friends with Joe Rodon and last year when Joe was at Leeds I was probably the closest to Joe when he joined me and I think when I came here Joe told Sonny to look after me a bit,” he said. “He’s been making me feel really welcome and just with little things like helping me talk to everyone and helping me get into the group.”

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Naming his two favourite Tottenham players as a child, Gareth Bale and Harry Kane, Gray also spoke highly of Son and admits he feels lucky to play in the same team as the South Korean icon.

“There’s nothing he can improve on. Every day he sets the standard in training and I admire him and feel lucky to have a player like that in the team and for him to be captain is just incredible,” Gray said.

“I can’t say enough good things about him. You know his quality in games, he’s been showing it for 10 years and internationally he’s been incredible. I don’t usually like to say too much good things about people in the same team as me because it seems weird, but he’s incredible.”