The 20yo has hardly a put a foot wrong in an otherwise chaotic season.
A few Premier League clubs are said to be looking at Lilywhites maestro Archie Gray with the summer transfer window just around the corner. And amid all the rumours surrounding the Leeds United academy graduate, Football Insider senior transfer correspondent Pete O’Rourke, while speaking on the latest Inside Track podcast, insisted that a probable Spurs departure looks increasingly likely right now, and it will be almost certain if Spurs are relegated.
Tottenham would be desperate to retain the 20-year-old given how impressive he has been despite Spurs having endured a difficult campaign.
Senior transfer correspondent gives latest on Archie Gray
We have seen links from Liverpool as well as Bayern Munich for his signature in the rumour mill in recent months alongside Man United and Real Madrid, and this O’Rourke update confirms that the interest from those clubs is real. The Yorkshireman has managed to notch up 22 Premier League appearances this season despite having a bit of a problem with injury here and there.
In the appearances under his belt, Gray has four goal involvements (which is not too much for a player of his capabilities), but while doing so, he has maintained an 83.2% successful passing rate and averaged 3.57 recoveries and 2.57 clearances per 90. For a 20-year-old being forced into playing in multiple positions and that too on a side struggling to put up half-decent performances, those are numbers showing how he has been consistent along the season.
And that is what has attracted interest from possible suitors, which O’Rourke said:
“I’m sure there’ll be interest in Archie Gray. He’s one of the best young English prospects.
“He’s been great for Tottenham despite their struggles in the Premier League this season, playing in so many positions.
“It only makes sense that other clubs will be sitting up and taking notice of Archie Gray, but I’m sure Spurs will be desperate to keep hold of him.
“If the worst comes to the worst and they suffer relegation, I’m sure some of the Premier League big boys will be circling ready to offer Gray a way out of North London.”
It will surely be difficult for Tottenham to retain him if Tottenham are relegated, given that relegated Spurs asking a 20-year-old England prospect to play in the Championship for a season will struggle to make a half-decent argument. And any club who are prepared to pay serious money for him – if they put it on the table, then Tottenham will find it a very difficult prospect to counter.
Tottenham willing to sell Gray’s midfield partner
However, Gray is not the only member of the current roster whose future at N17 appears to be hanging in the balance.
There have also been reports of Tottenham wanting to sell Conor Gallagher regardless of whether or not they will manage to remain in the top flight this season. The 26-year-old moved to Tottenham only in January in a deal worth around £34m from Atletico Madrid, but he has not proved himself to be worthy of his contract and that fee that Spurs paid for him. In fact, even former interim manager Igor Tudor demoted Gallagher into a substitute role in his last two games in charge at Tottenham.