Archie Gray to make sensational Leeds return? O’Rourke drops emphatic update
Leeds United completing a sensational deal for Archie Gray if promoted this summer is nothing more than a pipe dream, sources have told Football Insider.
Daniel Farke’s side have completed a huge turnaround in the last week to return to the top of the Championship table, beating both Middlesbrough and Preston to move five points clear of third place.
Leeds are already laying the groundwork for what their Premier League team could look like if promoted, with Football Insider revealing that Southampton’s Aaron Ramsdale is their top goalkeeper target.
With sources telling Football Insider that Leeds see six of their current first XI as ready to make the step up, attention will turn to the positions they need to strengthen in order to compete in a relegation battle.
Now, speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke discussed the prospect of Leeds approaching Tottenham in a bid to re-sign Gray.
Leeds a long-shot to complete Archie Gray transfer
While re-signing Gray this summer would undoubtedly be seen as a “dream” move for United fans, the 19-year-old’s stock and price tag have risen well above the £40million Leeds sold him for last summer.
| Season | Club | Appearances | Starts | Goals/Assists | Clean Sheets | Yellow Cards |
| 2023–24 | Tottenham | 40 | 28 | 0/0 | 9 | 1 |
| 2024–25 | Leeds United | 52 | 47 | 0/2 | 22 | 2 |
Gray has made 39 appearances across multiple positions for Spurs in all competitions, but like last season, the England Under-21 international has hardly featured in his preferred central midfield position.
Sources have told Football Insider that Tottenham are unwilling to let Gray leave any time soon and see him as a key player going forward, making any talk of an Elland Road return nothing short of a fantasy.
Archie Gray return a long way off at Elland Road
Leeds only see six members of Farke’s current squad as Premier League-ready, with four of those being midfielders Ao Tanaka and Ethan Ampadu as well as defensive duo Joe Rodon and Jayden Bogle.
That quartet covers the four positions Gray has played in across this season, and while Leeds will need reinforcements with Junior Firpo out of contract, the teenager won’t fancy returning to play left-back.
Football Insider revealed this month that a striker is Farke’s main transfer priority as Leeds don’t see Joel Piroe or Patrick Bamford as good enough, but in terms of Gray’s role, the Whites are well covered.