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Leeds are ‘heartbroken to see one of their own depart’ they have said a statement explaining Archie Gray’s move to Tottenham.

Ever since the final whistle blew at the Championship play-off final and they were condemned to another season in the second tier, their fans have been worrying over would head towards the exit this summer.

On that list of players deemed too good for another year in the EFL was academy product Gray, a big fan favourite with help from his relation to former Leeds aces father Andy, great-uncle Eddie and grandfather Frank.

Now, Leeds fans’ nightmare of losing Gray has come true, with the 18-year-old being sold to Spurs this week.

Upon announcing the deal, Leeds wrote a lengthy statement on the decision, stating it was one the club made with a ‘heavy heart’.

It read: “Leeds United can confirm Archie Gray has completed a permanent transfer to Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur for an undisclosed fee, after the north London outfit met a release clause that was triggered by the club’s failure to get promoted at the first attempt.

“Gray progressed through the ranks of the Academy at Thorp Arch and became involved with the first team setup at the age of just 15, when he was named on the bench for the Whites against Arsenal in the top-flight in 2021.

“He subsequently went on to make his senior debut in last season’s Sky Bet Championship opener against Cardiff City at Elland Road, aged 17.

“Going on to become a mainstay and thriving in the side under manager Daniel Farke at right-back, he played a key role in helping the Whites reach the Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final.

“Throughout his time at the club, Gray also featured on the international stage, earning 24 caps for England at youth level, from Under-15s to Under 21s.

“He now departs having made a total of 52 first team appearances for the Whites in all competitions.

“Understanding the attraction of Premier League and European football, the club, with a heavy heart, agreed the transfer, but the move has strengthened the board’s resolve to ultimately return Leeds to a position where it can meet the footballing ambitions of even its brightest stars.”

Leeds also pointed out the benefits of selling their homegrown talent in terms of keeping within the Championship’s financial regulations.

It continued: “Whilst we understand that supporters will be hugely disappointed to lose such a home-grown talent, and a family name so synonymous with Leeds United, the move improves the club’s chance to compete for automatic promotion next season by increasing our ability to build a competitive squad within the league’s financial control regulations.

“Everyone at Leeds United is heartbroken to see one of our own depart and would like to thank Archie for all his efforts and professionalism. He leaves with the very best wishes for his future career and in the knowledge that Leeds will always be his home.”

Leeds captioned their post on X of the statement: “Heartbroken to see one of our own depart, Archie Gray leaves with the best wishes of everyone at LUFC as he joins Tottenham.”

Gray himself has since issued a statement on Instagram about his exit.

He posted a gallery with the caption: "I can’t thank everyone at leeds united enough for the past 11 years, from the all the coaches I’ve had from when I first came at 7 years old to all the coaching staff now.

"I have enjoyed every second of my time at the club and have so many great memories for life from watching in the stands to playing on the pitch.

"I would also like to say a massive Thank you to all of the managers that I have had but especially Daniel Farke, for trusting me this year and giving me the opportunity to play and teaching me so much about the game I am so grateful for him and all the coaching staff.

"Along the way I have made friends for life and I am also grateful for every team mate I’ve been with from the age of 7 to the teammates last season.

"And for the fans you are amazing and I can’t Thank you enough for the support you have given me and hopefully Harry in the next few years to come. We will cross paths again."

Even former Leeds player Jermaine Beckford told talkSPORT he did not think Gray would be sold when addressing his side’s play-off loss in May.

However he did say he thought ‘one or two others’ would be sold.

Despite sitting top of the Championship for periods last season, Leeds lost out on winning promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking to runners-up Ipswich and champions Leicester.

They were condemned to the play-offs and suffered a 1-0 loss to Southampton in the final at Wembley - a game Gray played the entirety of.

Now, Daniel Farke will be under pressure to get the Yorkshire outfit back to the top flight at the second attempt.

Tottenham have confirmed the signing of Archie Gray.

Spurs activated the 18-year-old forward's £40million release clause and he passed a medical on Monday.

Defender Joe Rodon has joined Leeds as part of the deal, meaning Spurs will pay £25m-£30m.

It is believed that Brentford had initially offered over his release clause to get a deal done quickly and he was even set to undergo a medical.

But the move was shot down over issues with the payment structure.

Leeds academy product Gray had been offered a contract worth £75,000-a-week, an attractive package for the 18-year-old.

The deal was set to smash Brentford's current transfer record, which stands at £30m when they agreed a deal with Belgian side Club Brugge for Brazilian forward Igor Thiago in February.

Gray was also on the radar of Chelsea, Liverpool, Aston Villa and West Ham.

But now is now a Tottenham player, the club have announced.

The England youth international only made his senior debut on the opening day of the 2023/24 season.

He went on to make 52 appearances for the Whites in all competitions - chipping in with a goal and two assists.

Starting the campaign as a central midfielder, Gray went on to make the majority of his appearances at right-back, showcasing his versatility.

Leeds had hoped to secure Premier League football for themselves, but missed out on automatic promotion to Leicester and Ipswich.

Despite making it to the play-off final, Daniel Farke's side were beaten by Southampton, subjecting them to at least one more year in the second-tier.

It is believed that Gray's departure will see them comply with Profit and Sustainability rules, which would put them in a strong position should Crysencio Summerville be subject to any offers.

Ryan Sessegnon is training with Crystal Palace with a view to a signing a contract.

The left-sided player is currently without a club having left Tottenham at the end of his contract this summer.

Now 24, Sessegnon will be keen to reignite his career after a frustrating few years in north London.

Should a move come off, he'd like join as competition for Tyrick Mitchell at left wing-back.

Crystal Palace are looking for reinforcements with Michael Olise set to join Bayern Munich in a £60million deal.

After progressing through Fulham's youth academy, he was fast-tracked into the first team squad at the age of 16 where he took no time at all to show his quality.

Scoring seven goals in 31 games in his first season, Sessegnon scored 16 goals and offered eight assists to help Fulham to promotion in 2017/18 - all before his 18th birthday.

In that season he won Championship Player Of The Year, Young Player Of The Year and was also named in the Team Of The Year.

Sessegnon then scored twice and got six assists in his first-ever Premier League season, earning a move to Tottenham that was worth around £25million.

Playing primarily as a left winger for Fulham, Sessegnon found himself playing as a left wing-back for Spurs, struggling for form.

Most notably, it was a persistent run of hamstring injuries that stopped Sessegnon from showing his best self, making just 57 appearances in five years in north London.

He did, however, enjoy a decent loan spell with German side Hoffenheim in 2020/21 where he made 29 appearances, five of which came in the Europa League.

Sessegnon has also made 20 appearances for England under-21s, as well as playing a key role in helping the Young Lions to the European Under-19 Championship in 2017, as well as being named the tournament's Golden Boot winner.

Archie Gray to Tottenham is a done deal, talkSPORT understands.

Spurs are understood to have activated his release clause, of £40million, and he underwent a medical on Monday ahead of his switch from Leeds

Joe Rodon is also set to join Leeds as part of the deal, meaning Spurs will pay £25m-£30m.

It's believed that Brentford had initially offered over his release clause to get a deal done quickly and he was even set to undergo a medical.

But it was shot down over issues with the payment structure.

Leeds academy product Gray had been offered a contract worth £75,000-a-week, an attractive package for the 18-year-old.

The deal was set to smash Brentford's current transfer record, which stands at £30m when they agreed a deal with Belgian side Club Brugge for Brazilian forward Igor Thiago in February.

The Bees will now be forced to the drawing board to get the deal done.

Gray was also on the radar of Chelsea, Liverpool, Aston Villa and West Ham.

But now he will become a Tottenham player.

The England youth international only made his senior debut on the opening day of the 2023/24 season.

He went on to make 52 appearances for the Whites in all competitions - chipping in with a goal and two assists.

Starting the campaign as a central midfielder, Gray went on to make the majority of his appearances at right-back, showcasing his versatility.

Leeds had hoped to secure Premier League football for themselves, but missed out on automatic promotion to Leicester and Ipswich.

Despite making it to the play-off final, Daniel Farke's side were beaten by Southampton, subjecting them to at least one more year in the second-tier.

It is believed that Gray's departure would see them comply with Profit and Sustainability rules, which would put them in a strong position should Crysencio Summerville be subject to any offers.

Club chairman Paraag Marathe failed to rule out Gray from departing Elland Road last month.

He said: "It’s a little too early to answer specific questions. I can’t talk on specific players right now.

“If I can paint the big picture, there are certain things we need to do and we’ll make sure we’re fully compliant with PSR.

"There are certain trade-offs we have to make. We have to get to the drawing board to work out which moves we have to make.

“Obviously, Archie’s a tremendous player, but every season brings change. I can’t yet comment but we’ll see what happens.”

As for Brentford, they will be looking to improve on last term's 16th place finish in the Premier League.

Tottenham are among the clubs chasing Archie Gray, talkSPORT understands.

The Leeds United starlet is one of the hottest prospects in English football following a stunning breakthrough season in the EFL.

Gray also has interest from Spain and Germany, with the 18-year-old tipped to go on to big things.

Leeds could be forced to sell the teenager after missing out on promotion to the Premier League last term.

The Whites were firmly in the hunt for automatic promotion, but fell short with Leicester and Ipswich claiming the top two spots.

Daniel Farke's side did make it to the play-off final, only to be beaten 1-0 by Southampton at Wembley Stadium.

While the season ended in disappointment for the club, it was one to remember for Gray.

The great nephew of Leeds legend Eddie Gray made his debut on the opening day of the 2023/24 season and went on to make 52 appearances for the club.

Starting the season as a central midfielder, Gray went on to make the majority of his appearances at right-back, showcasing his versatility.

Gray isn't the only Leeds star who is in demand from clubs in the Premier League though.

Earlier this month Brighton opened talks over a move for Crysencio Summerville.

talkSPORT understands that Leeds expect to lose the £30million-rated Summerville having missed out on promotion to the Premier League.

Ange Postecoglou has been box office at Euro 2024, especially when it comes to Arsenal.

The Tottenham manager was a much anticipated addition to ITV’s coverage of the event, and hasn’t disappointed.

A long-time personality on the bench, stretching back to his time in Australia and Scotland, Postecoglou has won over plenty of fans since arriving in the Premier League, even those who vehemently dislike Spurs.

Arsenal fans obviously top that list, but even they may have struggled to contain a smirk at his latest dig.

Ahead of England’s 0-0 draw against Slovenia in Group C, the punditry team were discussing star striker Benjamin Sesko who had just extended his stay at Leipzig a week earlier.

The 21-year-old revelation had been linked with a string of European giants before opting to stay in Germany, with AC Milan, Arsenal and Chelsea all in need of goals and eyeing his services.

Like many, Posetcoglou thinks the still very green forward needs more time to hone his craft, and commented: "I think a big club would have looked at him this year, and it's a smart move for him to stay there for another year.

“I think there's still some development in him, but really good attributes for a striker position, for sure."

When asked by presenter Mark Pougatch if he was saying it was a smart move not to go to Arsenal, Postecoglou replied: “No comment.”

His jibe prompted laughter, even from Gunners great Ian Wright and the usually stony-faced Roy Keane.

Sesko scored 18 goals in his debut season with Leipzig, and despite being out-scored by teammate Lois Openda, he took all the headlines with a number of jaw-dropping strikes.

Aston Villa plan to resist any offers for Jacob Ramsey after rejecting a bid from Tottenham, talkSPORT understands.

Spurs were willing to pay £20million plus midfielder Giovani Lo Celso for Ramsey, but Villa turned down the offer.

This is despite Villa boss Unai Emery managing the Spurs midfielder both at Paris Saint-Germain and Villarreal.

Lo Celso, 28, has been at Spurs since 2020 and has played 108 games for the club. His current deal runs until June 2025.

Tottenham have already brought Timo Werner back on loan from RB Leipzig for another season.

They've also signed midfielder Lucas Bergvall from Djurgarden for £8.5million.

Ramsey has been with the Villans since the age of six, spending his entire career with the club bar one spell in League One with Doncaster Rovers.

He made 21 appearances for the club last term, missing chunks of the season due to numerous injury problems.

The 23-year-old scored one and made two assists in that time to help Emery’s side finish fourth in the Premier League.

Ramsey has played for Villa 122 times, netting 13 goals and bagging 12 assists.

Villa have already brought in Lewis Dobbin this summer transfer window, signing the Everton youngster for an undisclosed fee.

That was part of a double deal, with the Toffees snapping up Aston Villa starlet Tim Iroegbunam for £10million.

Meanwhile, Villa have released eight other players.

Richarlison had his Tottenham teammate Yves Bissouma in hysterics after stripping down to his shorts and celebrating like Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Brazil forward was in the gym at Tottenham's training ground as he looks to put some work in ahead of the new Premier League season.

While working hard is the priority, Richarlison showed that there's also a little bit of time for fun at this time of year.

The 27-year-old was in the gym with Yves Bissouma with the midfielder filming Richarlison.

Realising he was being filmed, Richarlison ripped of his t-shirt before running across the gym to do Ronaldo's iconic 'Siuu' celebration.

Sharing the video on Instagram, the forward's translated post read: "Yes, pigeon is back!"

As well as attracting more than 135,000 likes in an hour, Richarlison had Bissouma in stitches as the midfielder flipped the camera to show how much he had enjoyed the forward's antics.

Having missed five of Tottenham's last eight Premier League games last term, Richarlison has been working hard to get back to fitness following knee and ankle issues.

Missing out on Brazil's Copa America squad, the forward is putting in the hard yards to ensure that he's fit and firing ahead of the Premier League's kick-off in August.

Richarlison scored 12 times in 31 appearances during his first season under Ange Postecoglou, a tally that he'll be hoping to improve as he aims to guide Tottenham into the Champions League.

Spurs kick off their new season on Monday, August 19 when they travel to face Leicester City at the King Power Stadium - a match that Richarlison will be hoping can showcase that he's ready to go ahead of another tough season ahead.

Arsenal have slapped a £50million asking price on Eddie Nketiah, talkSPORT understands.

The Gunners are willing to sell Nketiah if they bring in a new striker, despite the fact he featured regularly for Mikel Arteta in the Premier League last season.

Crystal Palace have historic interest in the England Under-21 international, while West Ham and Southampton are among other clubs also in the market for a new striker.

However, the Gunners’ valuation coupled with Nketiah’s wages, well in excess of £100,000-a-week having signed a new five-year deal in the summer of 2022, are likely to put off a lot of his suitors.

Arsenal are weighing up whether to add to their forward line after missing out on top target Benjamin Sesko.

Spurs serious about Eze

With Michael Olise poised to sign on the dotted line at Bayern Munich, Crystal Palace face a fresh fight to keep another of their star players.

Olise’s departure for Bavaria is a significant blow for manager Oliver Glasner, who was hoping to keep the Frenchman for at least one more season.

Glasner now risks losing Olise’s Selhurst Park teammate and England new-boy Eberechi Eze, who talkSPORT is told has serious interest from Tottenham.

Like Olise, it is believed Eze has a release clause of around £60m in his contract, which Spurs will look at activating once they have moved players off their wage bill.

Denmark midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who impressed in the 1-1 draw with England on Thursday, is among the players Spurs are open to offers for along with AC Milan target Emerson Royal.

Tractor Boys' summer harvest

Ipswich are ramping up plans for their Premier League return with a busy summer expected at Portman Road.

The newly-promoted side, who have been handed a tough return to top flight football, are close to completing the signing of free agent right-back Ben Johnson following his exit from West Ham.

Reliable sources have also told talkSPORT they have identified Brighton goalkeeper Carl Rushworth as the man they want to be their top-flight number one.

Rushworth, 22, excelled on loan at Swansea last season while Johnson, 24, who has played 69 Premier League games, has rejected a new contract at West Ham to move to Portman Road.

Another player on Ipswich’s radar is Celtic’s former Tottenham defender Cameron Carter-Vickers, with manager Kieran McKenna clearly being backed in the transfer market after committing his future to the club.

Everton's Old Trafford clean-up

Keep an eye out for Everton potentially making moves for a couple of Manchester United players.

I’m told the Toffees are one of a number of clubs interested in right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who also wanted by Galatasaray.

It is also understood Sean Dyche is a fan of centre-back Victor Lindelof, who is free to leave Old Trafford as United look to revamp their squad.

Arsenal have slapped a £50million asking price on Eddie Nketiah, talkSPORT understands.

The Gunners are willing to sell Nketiah if they bring in a new striker, despite the fact he featured regularly for Mikel Arteta in the Premier League last season.

Crystal Palace have historic interest in the England Under-21 international, while West Ham and Southampton are among other clubs also in the market for a new striker.

However, the Gunners’ valuation coupled with Nketiah’s wages, well in excess of £100,000-a-week having signed a new five-year deal in the summer of 2022, are likely to put off a lot of his suitors.

Arsenal are weighing up whether to add to their forward line after missing out on top target Benjamin Sesko.

Spurs serious about Eze

With Michael Olise poised to sign on the dotted line at Bayern Munich, Crystal Palace face a fresh fight to keep another of their star players.

Olise’s departure for Bavaria is a significant blow for manager Oliver Glasner, who was hoping to keep the Frenchman for at least one more season.

Glasner now risks losing Olise’s Selhurst Park teammate and England new-boy Eberechi Eze, who talkSPORT is told has serious interest from Tottenham.

Like Olise, it is believed Eze has a release clause of around £60m in his contract, which Spurs will look at activating once they have moved players off their wage bill.

Denmark midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who impressed in the 1-1 draw with England on Thursday, is among the players Spurs are open to offers for along with AC Milan target Emerson Royal.

Tractor Boys' summer harvest

Ipswich are ramping up plans for their Premier League return with a busy summer expected at Portman Road.

The newly-promoted side, who have been handed a tough return to top flight football, are close to completing the signing of free agent right-back Ben Johnson following his exit from West Ham.

Reliable sources have also told talkSPORT they have identified Brighton goalkeeper Carl Rushworth as the man they want to be their top-flight number one.

Rushworth, 22, excelled on loan at Swansea last season while Johnson, 24, who has played 69 Premier League games, has rejected a new contract at West Ham to move to Portman Road.

Another player on Ipswich’s radar is Celtic’s former Tottenham defender Cameron Carter-Vickers, with manager Kieran McKenna clearly being backed in the transfer market after committing his future to the club.

Everton's Old Trafford clean-up

Keep an eye out for Everton potentially making moves for a couple of Manchester United players.

I’m told the Toffees are one of a number of clubs interested in right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who also wanted by Galatasaray.

It is also understood Sean Dyche is a fan of centre-back Victor Lindelof, who is free to leave Old Trafford as United look to revamp their squad.