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Tottenham have completed the signing of teenage midfielder Archie Gray from Leeds.

The 18-year-old moves to the north London club in a deal worth around £25m to £30m, with Joe Rodon - who spent last season on loan at Leeds - moving to Elland Road permanently in the opposite direction on a four-year deal.

Gray has signed a six-year-deal at Spurs and will wear the number 14 shirt.

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Spurs have beaten London rivals Brentford to the signing of Gray after Leeds rejected an initial £35m bid from the Bees on Saturday, despite Gray being given permission to undergo a medical with Thomas Frank's side.

But Gray moves to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium where he will have the chance to play European football next season following Spurs' Europa League qualification.

The England U21 international becomes Ange Postecoglou's second summer signing after Timo Werner rejoined the club on loan from RB Leipzig.

Gray enjoyed a breakout season at Elland Road, making 52 appearances in all competitions as Leeds lost in the Championship play-off final to Southampton - a game where he played the full 90 minutes.

He is the son of former Nottingham Forest, Leeds and Burnley striker Andy Gray, and first featured in a first-team squad three months before his 16th birthday, when he was named on the bench for a Premier League game with Arsenal in December 2021.

Leeds 'heartbroken' to lose Gray to Spurs

Leeds admitted they were "heartbroken" to lose their academy graduate but had to sell him after Tottenham activated a release clause following the Whites' failure to earn promotion from the Championship.

A Leeds statement 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.

"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.

"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."

Why Tottenham went for Leeds' Gray

On Saturday afternoon, it emerged that Archie Gray was set for a shock move to Brentford, after personal terms were agreed between the teenager and the West London club.

But, by Sunday morning, Tottenham had become frontrunners and they have now completed the signing of one of the brightest young prospects in the country - and Leeds will be cut incredibly deep. This one will sting for a long time to come.

But why is Gray - who, due to safeguarding rules, had to use a separate dressing room from his team-mates before he turned 18 in March - being courted by Premier League clubs? Here, we take a look at the story of his fledgling career...

When does the summer transfer window open and close?

The 2024 summer transfer window in the Premier League and Scottish Premiership is officially open.

The window will close on August 30 at 11pm UK time in England and at 11.30pm in Scotland.

The Premier League and Scottish Premiership brought forward Deadline Day to link up with the other major leagues in Europe. The closing dates were set following discussions with the leagues in England, Germany, Italy, Spain and France.

Follow the summer transfer window with Sky Sports

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Tottenham are close to completing a deal to sign Archie Gray from Leeds.

Sky Sports News understands the 18-year-old has completed his medical and there is every expectation he will sign for Spurs.

The deal will be around £25m to £30m with Joe Rodon - who spent last season on loan at Leeds - moving to Elland Road on a permanent deal.

Leeds rejected an initial £35m bid from Brentford on Saturday, despite the teenager being given permission to undergo a medical with the west Londoners.

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Gray enjoyed a breakout season at Elland Road, making 52 appearances in all competitions as Leeds lost in the Championship play-off final to Southampton - a game where he played the full 90 minutes.

He is the son of former Nottingham Forest, Leeds and Burnley striker Andy Gray, and first featured in a first-team squad three months before his 16th birthday, when he was named on the bench for a Premier League game with Arsenal in December 2021.

What does the data say Tottenham need this summer?

Sky Sports statistician Paul Harrison:

"Another false dawn at Tottenham, who were top of the table and unbeaten after 10 Premier League games under Ange Postecoglou.

"Their capitulation in the 4-1 home defeat against Chelsea in November became the norm as the season progressed. Their defensive stats in the final 28 games resembled a team in a relegation battle.

"Better midfield protection and competent defensive depth are required - if they are to stand any chance of fighting for a top-four finish next term."

When does the summer transfer window open and close?

The 2024 summer transfer window in the Premier League and Scottish Premiership is officially open.

The window will close on August 30 at 11pm UK time in England and at 11.30pm in Scotland.

The Premier League and Scottish Premiership brought forward Deadline Day to link up with the other major leagues in Europe. The closing dates were set following discussions with the leagues in England, Germany, Italy, Spain and France.

Follow the summer transfer window with Sky Sports

On Saturday afternoon, it emerged that Archie Gray was set for a shock move to Brentford, after personal terms were agreed between the teenager and the West London club.

But, by Sunday morning, Tottenham had become frontrunners. He has now completed part of his medical and there is every expectation that he will head to North London instead.

Should all go to plan, Spurs will have completed the signing of one of the brightest young prospects in the country - and Leeds will be cut incredibly deep. This one will sting for a long time to come.

Tottenham close to completing deal for Leeds wonderkid Gray

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But why is Gray - who, due to safeguarding rules, had to use a separate dressing room from his team-mates before he turned 18 in March - being courted by Premier League clubs? Here, we take a look at the story of his fledgling career…

Continuing the Gray legacy at Leeds

First things first, the Gray name is royalty at Elland Road.

Archie's grandad Frank and great-uncle Eddie made over 900 appearances for the club combined during the 1960s, 70s and 80s. Together, they were part of the 1973/74 First Division-winning squad, and the squad that finished as runners-up in the 1974/75 European Cup.

Eddie would later return to manage the squad during two spells; between 1982 and 1985 and then between 2003 and 2004, latterly as the caretaker who oversaw relegation out of the Premier League. Regardless, he is seen as a legendary figure at the club to this day.

It came as no surprise that, when Frank's son Andy started his career in the 1990s, he did so at Leeds. However, he could only manage 38 appearances, with the best form of his career coming elsewhere in Yorkshire with Bradford, Sheffield United and Barnsley.

And so it was the natural order when Andy's son Archie joined Leeds' academy a decade ago, aged eight. His younger brother Harry, 15, is also on the club's books and already causing a stir at U18 level, but that is one to revisit another day…

Bielsa unearths a gem

The impact Marcelo Bielsa had during his time at Leeds went well beyond the pitch, but his ability to get the best out of players was second to none - Kalvin Phillips' development is a prime example. But he can also take some credit for Gray's accelerated rise to the first team.

Gray was still at school, preparing to take his GCSEs when the Argentinian started to bring him into the first team fold. Remarkably, during an interview with The Athletic earlier this year, Gray suggested he had little fear about making the step up.

Clearly convinced by his ability, Bielsa named him on the bench for the 4-1 defeat to Arsenal a week before Christmas in 2021 and again on January 16 for the 3-2 win at West Ham.

That was it for the next four months. He had been given a glimpse, but with Bielsa's departure in February and the very real threat of relegation lingering, experience was required to salvage Leeds' place in the Premier League.

Bielsa's replacement Jesse Marsch had been wooed by Gray's talents, too, though, and named him as a substitute for the final four crucial matches, the last of which was a 2-1 win at Brentford, which secured survival in the most dramatic fashion.

A stellar breakout season

After Leeds' relegation from the Premier League at the end of 2022/23, there was an exodus of sorts; big-money signings on Premier League wages departed on loan.

While the 17-year-old Gray started the season alongside Ethan Ampadu in central midfield, Luke Ayling had continued at right-back, with little competition after the loan departure of Rasmus Kristensen to Roma.

Djed Spence had come in on loan himself, but was hampered by injury - and when he did play, he deputised at left-back throughout the Christmas period.

The 1-0 win at home to QPR on October 4 turned out to be the very last time Ayling started a game for Leeds. Three days later, Gray replaced him at right-back for the first time and made the spot his own.

Over the course of the next 36 games, Gray started 28 at right-back, four in midfield. There were two brief cameos and twice he was left on the bench, likely to give his legs some much-needed respite.

His assured, composed performances helped him to a place in the England U21 squad in March and he scored on his debut against Azerbaijan.

"I'm very proud of how he's been doing so far," said his great-uncle Eddie during an interview with Sky Sports ahead of Leeds' play-off semi-final against Norwich.

"He's been playing in a position that is not natural to him; he's a midfield player and he'll end up playing in the middle of the park. I can see him, in years to come, being a box-to-box midfielder because he's a good athlete.

"But he's still learning the game - and he's keen to learn the game. Hopefully he goes onto good things with the football club."

Premature new beginnings

It was plain to see how much the play-off defeat to Southampton at Wembley in affected Gray. Losing at Wembley always hurts, but more so when it is your boyhood club.

Given his tender age, the sobering experience will provide invaluable experience that will set him apart from his peers even more so.

Before the recent developments, there was no obvious reason to suggest trudging back down the stairs from the Royal Box with a runners-up medal in hand would be his final action in a Leeds shirt, particularly because Gray only signed a new four-and-a-half year deal in January.

"It's just a dream come true," he said after signing. "The club trust me and trust my family and hopefully I can repay it."

In an interview with the Guardian, he had spoken about hopes of winning the Champions League with the club and captaining England.

The latter remains on the table - and it would be no surprise if he did so in years to come, given the way he has taken to the professional game like a duck to water.

For now, though, it seems the former will have to be put on pause. A fairy tale to revisit some day in the future.

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Since 2002 the transfer window has been an integral, at times even overbearing, part of British football.

From some time in early June to August 31, and for the entire month of January, clubs can finally do their business at will. Star players can finally hope they get their big move, fringe players can finally look to get some game-time elsewhere - and managers can finally find out whether their chairmen will loosen the purse strings after all.

Both windows have remained largely untouched for more than two decades, but now a third date has popped up on the transfer calendar: June 30.

Totally aside from the transfer window itself, this date marks the end of the accounting period for each league season.

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That's the date clubs must have their finances sufficiently in order to pass the Premier League and Championship's respective Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) checks - with Everton and Nottingham Forest's points deductions two recent examples of what happens when they don't.

Those rules have begun to bite over the last few years, creating an array of suddenly more pressing issues for CEOs, managers and, indirectly, players in the process.

So let's talk you through the big issues surrounding English football's 'proxy' deadline day...

Why is June 30 so important for clubs?

Under current spending rules - which are set to change at some point in the near future - clubs are allowed to make certain losses across a three-year period, which are calculated up to the end of June 30 of any given year.

In the Premier League, this amounts to £105m. In the Championship, it's much less at £39m.

League One and League Two operate under a different set of rules, which include a wage cap and spending limit tied to the amount of money they make every year.

The Premier League and Championship 'losses' don't include everything. The upkeep of a stadium or building a new one, spending on the academy or associated women's team and anything which the leagues define as "for the general interest of the club and football" all get left out.

There can be grey areas here, but if clubs believe they are in danger of breaching the rules, then they need to do something about it before July 1 rolls around. And the quickest of those fixes normally involves selling players.

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Will clubs be forced to sell players on the cheap?

There is certainly a chance of this. Not only do clubs worried about breaching PSR have a limited time to improve their financial situation, but the clubs who want to buy their players know this too.

To drive a harder bargain, clubs are known to keep tabs on one another's finances to get an idea of how much pressure selling clubs are under, especially at this time of year.

Everton's director of football Kevin Thelwell has already publicly admitted players "will be sold" this summer, and asked for "patience and understanding" from the club's fans as they look to improve their financial footing.

"Those clubs who have players on very lucrative contracts will face some challenging times," football finance expert Kieran Maguire told the Transfer Talk podcast. "Who's going to be willing to match the wages that these players are on?

"And from a player's perspective, they want to know why they should take a pay cut just to help the club they're currently playing for to comply with PSR."

Why are homegrown players more likely to be sold?

For accounting purposes, selling an academy product is a much simpler way for a club to make a profit - and therefore reduce losses - than selling a player they had previously bought.

This is because when a player is sold, the 'profit' they bring in is offset against what is called their 'book value'. This involves a process called amortisation, which is discussed in further detail here.

In simple terms, it means their calculated 'value', which is relative to their original purchase price and how much of their contract is left, taken off the amount they are sold for - reducing any financial bonus for the selling club.

For instance, a player who was bought for £50m on a five-year contract decreases in value by £10m every season under amortisation.

If they were sold after three years, their book value would be £20m - and this would be deducted from whatever their sale price was. So if they were sold for £30m, they could only bank a profit of £10m.

A player who has come through the club's academy would not have the same issue. The profit in that deal would be recorded as the full £30m.

Could clubs just take a points deduction instead of complying?

This has been mooted outside of the game and probably thought about in some Premier League boardrooms but it is, in no uncertain terms, a risky strategy.

Say you have a player who you believe is worth five or six points to you in a season, a star man. Selling him would bring you in line with PSR limits for one season, but you have lost your best player for good. It could be tempting.

However, as we've seen in the season which has just finished, predicting what sanctions clubs will face for PSR breaches is difficult to predict.

For instance, Nottm Forest were docked four points earlier this season for a PSR breach of £34.5m, while Everton's first charge saw them penalised with a 10-point deduction - albeit later reduced to six - for overspending by £16.6m, less than half that figure.

"It's a risk to take," Maguire told Transfer Talk. "What happens if the player [being kept] has a loss of form, and when you're starting the season on minus six points you're already going into the season with a very different mindset.

"It could be that the player themselves becomes unsettled, which impacts on their performance. We fall into a trap as fans of viewing players as commodities to be bought and sold.

"I've not seen anyone within the industry itself say they're willing to take that risk, but I am certain everyone is doing their sums.

"Some clubs might take the view a player is so good he's worth a minimum of eight points per season, and it might be the worth of taking a six-point deduction."

Separately, part of Forest's defence against their deduction centred around the sale of Brennan Johnson, who they said could have left the club before last summer's June 30 cut-off.

Forest's argument suggested they could have complied with PSR, but claimed the one offer they received for him before the deadline, from Atletico Madrid, was below his market value.

They justified their decision by referencing the £47.5m they received from Tottenham when they eventually sold him on September 1 as "golden mitigation".

This was rejected by the Premier League panel, but that does not mean other clubs will not try similar tactics in the future.