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Leeds United look set to lose another promising academy star to top-level Premier League opposition.

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Promising Leeds United academy talent Oliver Boast is reportedly set to join Tottenham Hotspur this summer, following the agreement of a compensation fee between both clubs.

The Athletic report that Boast has decided to continue his early development down in north London, having caught the eye of Spurs while coming through Leeds’ academy. The young striker, who only turned 16 last month, made debuts for the Whites Under-18s and Under-21s last season, first turning out for the latter in April while he was still only 15 years old.

Due to the striker’s age, Leeds will be due a fee as compensation for the time and resources they’ve put into developing their academy prospect. The exact fee is either determined by the two clubs or sent to a tribunal, with the former option taken and, as per the Athletic report, a seven-figure sum agreed.

Boast is an England Under-16 international but despite his immense promise, the Athletic suggest a clear path into the first-team is essentially blocked by Harry Gray. Despite being just seven months older, the brother of Spurs midfielder Archie Gray - who left Leeds in a £40million deal last summer - got his first-team debut at Plymouth Argyle in May and is expected to enjoy more senior exposure next season.

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Gray is considered one of England’s most promising young strikers and is certainly the latest academy star to break through at Leeds, with Boast seemingly deciding to move elsewhere. He is described as a ‘prized academy asset’ and becomes the latest highly-rated youngster to leave Thorp Arch for a big-money compensation fee.

Boast the latest Leeds United academy prospect to move on

Leeds most notably lost promising midfielder Finlay Gorman to Manchester City last season, with the 15-year-old keen to challenge himself within one of the country’s most prestigious academy setups. Like Boast, he was also an England Under-16 international and had impressed at Under-18 level with his club.

Gorman and his parents visited City’s state-of-the-art Etihad Campus and were evidently convinced a move to Manchester would be best for his career development. He joined up with the Under-18s and has registered an impressive eight goals and nine assists in 21 U18 Premier League appearances.

Manchester City are believed to have paid an initial £1.5million for Gorman, a British record for any 15-year-old, while the Athletic reported at the time possible long-term add-ons could take that deal to £5m. It is unclear exactly how much Leeds will receive - or could land in the future - as a result of Boast’s exit but another seven-figure fee for someone so young is evidence of the great academy work going on at Thorp Arch.

Boast and Gorman never came close to the first-team set up at Leeds but both Archie and Harry Gray continued their family legacy in West Yorkshire, with the latter expected to keep improving as a teenager with his boyhood club. Archie became one of the club’s biggest sales last summer when he joined Spurs for £40m, with only Raphinha and fellow academy graduate Kalvin Phillips leaving for more.

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Former Leeds United winger Manor Solomon is stranded in Israel following the outbreak of war between the Middle Eastern country and Iran.

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The Elland Road loanee has returned to parent club Tottenham Hotspur ahead of the 2025/26 season but recently visited the country of his birth where he married long-term partner Dana Voshina.

Spurs say they are in contact with the player, but a timeline on his return to the United Kingdom is unknown at this stage as Israel and Iran continue to trade deadly missile fire, causing all air traffic to be suspended over the region.

As per The Telegraph, a Tottenham spokesperson said: “We are constantly in regular dialogue with all our players regarding their well-being and welfare.”

It is hoped Solomon will be able to leave Israel sooner rather than later in order to prepare for the beginning of pre-season under new Spurs boss Thomas Frank, who is expected to take a fresh view of his squad and the players available to him since replacing Ange Postecoglou in the dugout.

Leeds have been linked with a permanent move for the player who turns 26 next month and finished last season's Championship campaign with 12 goals and 10 assists for the Whites.

The winger scored Leeds' title-clinching goal away at Plymouth Argyle on the final day of the 2024/25 campaign, ensuring United finished top of the table on 100 points, ahead of fellow centurions Burnley on goal difference.

Middle East situation

Tensions remain high in the Middle East with Israeli airstrikes reportedly targeting key Iranian nuclear missile sites, whilst the port cities of Tel Aviv and Haifa have both been struck by Iran's air-to-ground ballistics.

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A big update has emerged on the future of ex-Leeds loan star Manor Solomon.

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New Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has reportedly delivered his verdict on former Leeds United loan star Manor Solomon’s immediate future.

Israel international winger Solomon joined Leeds on a season-long loan from Spurs last summer and the 25-year-old went on to dazzle for Daniel Farke’s Whites.

Solomon has made just six appearances for Tottenham whom he last played for in September 2023 but the club now have a new manager upon ex-Brentford boss Frank replacing the sacked Ange Postecoglou.

“Likes what he sees”...

Reports earlier this summer before Postecoglou was axed suggested Tottenham intended to give Solomon another chance and a fresh report now claims that Frank “likes what he sees” and wants Solomon involved in pre-season training.

The winger still has three more years on his Tottenham deal which expires in the summer of 2028.

Taking to social media platform X, journalist Sacha Tavolieri wrote: “Manor Solomon is going to start pre-season with Tottenham. Thomas Frank likes what he sees and wants to check him out in training. Currently the plan is that Manor’s staying and playing for Tottenham this season.”

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Manor Solomon dazzled on loan at Leeds in helping the Whites to promotion.

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Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly taken a big decision on former Leeds United loan star Manor Solomon’s future.

Israel international winger Solomon joined Leeds on a season-long loan from Spurs last summer and the 25-year-old went on to dazzle for Daniel Farke’s Whites.

Solomon has made just six appearances for Tottenham whom he last played for in September 2023 but Spurs are reportedly set to give him another chance according to a report from The Sun.

The report claims that Spurs are ready to bring Solomon back to the group come pre-season with the ambition of keeping him in North London.

The winger still has three more years on his Tottenham deal which expires in the summer of 2028.

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The Leeds United academy graduate claimed major silverware last week to cap off a rollercoaster debut campaign at Spurs.

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Archie Gray has praised boyhood club Leeds United for ensuring he developed a keen knowledge of multiple positions - a strength which has really come to the fore in his two years of senior football.

Gray is a central midfielder by trade but in a season each at Leeds and Tottenham Hotspur, he’s barely played there. The 19-year-old got his break at right-back under Daniel Farke and emerged as one of the Championship’s hottest young prospects during a 2023/24 campaign that ultimately ended in play-off final heartbreak.

A £40million move to Spurs followed and Gray’s versatility has been tested even further since, with the Thorp Arch academy graduate spending much of his debut Premier League campaign at centre-back, owing to a defensive injury crisis in north London. He was also pushed to left-back on occasion with the vast majority of his 19 top-flight starts coming away from midfield.

But Gray took to right-back like a duck to water at Leeds and despite enduring a much tougher campaign at Spurs, the teenager is now a Europa League champion following last week’s win over Manchester United. He was at teammate James Maddison’s annual charity golf day on Tuesday and acknowledged the work Thorp Arch coaches did in providing experience across multiple roles.

Archie Gray praises Leeds United work after Spurs success

“For everyone, the fans, it’s been a season worthwhile, 100%,” Gray told Sky Sports after a round of 18 he admitted didn’t go too well. “I’ve enjoyed this year so much. You know, it’s provided me with so much and so much different experience than what I thought I was going to get.

“And I’m grateful for that. I’m grateful for the manager trusting me in so many different positions. All these different things you get experience for. Wherever I’m put on the pitch I’ll try to do the same job, just give 100%, and that’s a thing Leeds do really well with all their young players.

“They always put them in every position on the pitch, so I think that provided me with a good base for playing in these different positions. So, I’m not going out there never playing in them.”

Last week’s Europa League win was Spurs’ first major trophy since 2008 and gave Ange Postecoglou’s side a positive ending to an otherwise difficult campaign. The north London side finished 17th in the Premier League and could well have been in a relegation scrap, were the bottom three not so poor.

It’s been a challenge for Gray too, who will look back on his debut Premier League campaign as a huge learning experience. But in just his second season of senior football, the teenager now has a Europa League winners’ medal, although he won’t be keeping it close, instead opting to keep it at his family home in North Yorkshire in hope of inspiring his younger brothers, including 16-year-old Leeds striker Harry.

"I'm not sure [where I’ll keep the medal],” he said. “I think I might give it to my little brothers at home, so they can look up to it a little bit. Hopefully it will make them work a bit harder.”

Your next Leeds United read: Whites ‘join race’ for £20m-rated Middlesbrough talisman Finn Azaz

Leeds United will welcome a host of teams back to Elland Road for the first time in a few years next season - and with it more than a dozen former players could walk out in front of fans who used to sing their name. Some left with the best wishes of those in West Yorkshire but it would be fair to say plenty didn’t, and football fans have long memories.

Promotion back to the Premier League will put Daniel Farke’s side into battle with the best and any chance of survival will lean strongly on the continuation of their incredible recent home form. The visit of Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Brighton, Bournemouth and plenty others to Leeds will see former players walk out in front of a fiery Elland Road crowd, with fans ready to make their voices heard.

While some understandably left during bleak times in West Yorkshire, others seemingly jumped at the chance to move on via the triggering of release clauses following relegation. Below, the YEP has taken a look at the 16 former players who could be welcomed - or not so much - back to Elland Road next season.

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Manor Solomon dazzled on a season-long loan at Leeds from Tottenham.

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Manor Solomon has made a declaration about his future in a message to Leeds United’s supporters with an admission.

Israel international winger Solomon joined Leeds on a season-long loan from Tottenham last summer as he looked to build up regular game time following injury troubles.

The Spurs star went on to bag 10 goals and 12 assists to help Leeds to promotion as Championship champions, including netting the goal that ultimately sealed the title in the final day 2-1 win at Plymouth Argyle.

It meant Solomon signing off from his loan spell in the ultimate style and the winger has now penned a message to United’s fans - declaring that he does not know what his future holds.

Solomon, though, has admitted that whatever happens, Leeds United will now forever be in his heart.

Taking to his Instagram page, Solomon wrote: “After nearly a year without football, I couldn’t have asked for a better comeback season and a better ending.

“I really don’t know what the future holds, but I do know that Leeds United will forever be in my heart.

“Thank you again, fans, for the unforgettable past few weeks and all your incredible support and love throughout the entire season.

“We are the champions!”

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Leeds United are expected to hold talks with Tottenham Hotspur and Manor Solomon's representatives over the possibility of a summer transfer.

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On-loan Leeds winger Solomon has returned to Tottenham Hotspur following the conclusion of United's 2024/25 campaign, which culminated in the club being crowned Championship winners.

The Spurs loanee scored Leeds' decisive, title-clinching goal away at Plymouth Argyle on the final day, when it appeared the Championship trophy was heading to Turf Moor and Burnley's clutches instead.

Solomon's low strike beneath goalkeeper Conor Hazard sparked rapturous celebration among the Leeds supporters at Home Park on May 3.

Following Leeds' dramatic, late title triumph, the player admitted he did not know what the future held but that he anticipated talks to take place in the days that followed, expected to focus on the 25-year-old's club future.

Solomon remains contracted at Tottenham until the summer of 2028, meaning if the Whites are keen to add him to Daniel Farke's squad on a permanent basis, it will not be cheap to do so.

However, there is a way in which Leeds could potentially negotiate a cheaper deal than Spurs' asking price - and it relates to last summer's Archie Gray move.

The Leeds academy graduate moved for £40 million last July, although the necessary steps for a transfer are understood to have taken place prior to June 30, permitting Leeds to include the sale in their 2023/24 accounts.

United therefore included Gray's sale in the club's most recently available financial report, allowing them to avoid any potential Profitability and Sustainability sanctions for the relevant three-year accounting period ending June 30, 2024.

As is the case with the majority of football transfers, fees are rarely paid up front and Leeds will still be owed a portion of the £40 million Gray sale, likely to be spread over the length of the teenager's Spurs contract.

According to Leeds' 2023/24 accounts, the club are owed £69 million in future transfer instalments by other clubs, with Tottenham understood to be one of them.

Given Solomon is a Spurs-owned player, Leeds could theooretically negotiate a reduction in the sum still owed for the purchase of Gray in order to land the Israel international more cheaply.

The 25-year-old finished the season with 10 goals and 12 assists to his name and considering his situation at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, will be a target for many clubs across Europe and has already been linked with Olympique de Marseille of France.

Leeds' long-standing relationship with Spurs, though, could aid the club when it comes to negotiating a permanent deal, if that is the direction of travel the United hierarchy decide to take with regards to Solomon's future.

The Whites took Joe Rodon and Djed Spence on loan during the 2023/24 campaign before striking a permanent agreement for Rodon's signature last summer. Gray's departure for the North London club and Solomon's loan switch were also negotiated by the same individuals likely to lead both clubs' transfer business this summer.

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Former Leeds United players Diego Llorente, Marc Roca and Archie Gray have the chance to become European champions this season.

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The ex-Whites trio have qualified for the UEFA Europa Conference League and UEFA Europa League finals, respectively, with their club sides Real Betis and Tottenham Hotspur.

Llorente and Roca are both unlikely to feature for the Spanish club in the Conference League final versus Chelsea, however, as both players are currently injured with Llorente not expected to return until next season. Neither player appeared in the semi-final triumph over Fiorentina, which went to extra-time on Thursday evening.

Elsewhere, Leeds academy graduate and £40 million summer sale Gray has qualified for the Europa League final with Spurs and will have the opportunity to deny Manchester United a spot in the Champions League group stage next season.

The London club defeated Norwegians Bodo/Glimt over two legs, while Leeds' arch-rivals were victorious against Athletic Club, setting up an all-Premier League encounter at the final in Bilbao.

Winners of the Europa League automatically qualify for the 2025/26 Champions League, despite the two English clubs' lowly position in the Premier League table with three matches of the campaign remaining.

Nineteen-year-old Gray has made 42 appearances for Spurs across all competitions this season, including 10 in Europe. He has, however, been an unused substitute during Spurs' quarter-final and semi-final triumphs over Eintracht Frankfurt and Bodo/Glimt.

Roca, meanwhile, has been sidelined for much of the campaign after his permanent £4 million Elland Road exit last summer. The Spaniard suffered an ankle injury early in the season before sustaining his current foot issue, which has kept him out of action for a number of months.

Llorente has featured more regularly for Betis, including eight outings in the Conference League but has missed the team's recent fixtures with a hamstring problem which will keep him out of the final in Wroclaw, Poland.

How could Leeds benefit from other clubs' success in Europe?

It is unclear whether there are performance-related add-ons which Leeds stand to benefit from if Real Betis or Tottenham are victorious in their respective competitions, although it is a distinct possibility as such clauses, obliging purchasing clubs to pay additional fees, are commonplace in football transfer negotiations.

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The on-loan Spurs man enjoyed an excellent season at Leeds United.

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Leeds United appear to have set their sights on a permanent deal for Manor Solomon but reports suggest there is still a significant gap in valuation between them and Tottenham Hotspur.

Solomon’s season-long loan spell at Leeds has come to an end and the winger has silverware to show for his efforts in West Yorkshire, having scored the goal that sealed top spot and the Championship title at Plymouth Argyle on Saturday. That was the Israeli international’s 10th effort of the season and another 12 assists made for an impressive debut campaign at Elland Road.

Leeds are thought to be keen on signing Solomon permanently this summer, with Daniel Farke wanting Premier League experience - something the 25-year-old has plenty of with Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham. And now TBR Football report that Elland Road chiefs have informed Spurs of their desire to sign the winger permanently.

Solomon said in the immediate aftermath of last weekend’s win at Plymouth he expects talks to begin in ‘two or three days’ and the report claims those discussions are now underway, with Elland Road the tricky winger’s preferred destination. There is also thought to be interest from Everton - where exit-bound Whites CEO Angus Kinnear is heading - and Marseille.

With Solomon outside the first-team picture in North London, Spurs are open to a sale and any fee will act as pure profit from a PSR perspective, given he arrived as a free agent from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2023. But, the report suggests, there is still a gap between what they want and what Leeds might be willing to pay.

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is said to be holding out for around £20million, given Solomon still has three years on his contract and there is interest from elsewhere. Leeds, meanwhile, are said to be ‘hoping’ for a final fee closer to £15m, with talks expected as both clubs attempt to get a deal over the line.

Leeds United’s Premier League transfer plans

A move for Solomon would appear sensible this summer, given the need for top-level experience going into the Premier League. The winger played top-flight football regularly on loan at Fulham alongside Dan James in 2022/23 and is also a regular at international level for Israel.

That is the kind of top-flight experience Elland Road recruitment chiefs will look for going into next season, with Farke keen to add Premier League know-how across multiple positions. A first-choice goalkeeper and striker will no doubt be towards the top of his summer shopping list, while there have also been strong links to players across centre-back and in central midfield.

Leeds will also be left with the task of sourcing a new first-choice left-back if Junior Firpo leaves when his contract expires this summer. The 28-year-old told the YEP last month he remains in the dark regarding his future and report this week have suggested there is interest from Premier League trio Everton, West Ham and Crystal Palace as well as former clubs Barcelona and Real Betis.

Your next Leeds United read: Solomon nominated for PFA Championship award after 7-goal April