Archie Gray will take a huge step towards an exit tonight, with Tottenham and Chelsea still interested

But with profit and sustainability rules dictating how much a club can lose financially in a calendar year and that year coming to an end on July 1, clubs in danger of breaching those rules have had to cash in now.

Newcastle are close to selling Yankuba Minteh to Brighton and Leicester are in talks with Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. Newcastle and Leicester are in danger of another points deduction.

It appears that Leeds and The 49ers can fall foul of similar rule violations, hence the desperation to offload a big-name player. Grey, to the fury of Leeds fans, looks set to be that player ahead of the July 1st deadline.

READ MORE: Oliver Skipp’s stance on a potential move to Leeds

Graham Smyth gives an ‘tonight’ update on Archie Gray’s exit

David Ornstein initially reported that Thomas Frank’s Brentford had agreed a £35m deal to sign Gray from his boyhood club. A player who agreed a long-term deal with Leeds in January, but times change.

Leeds clearly feel they could be in danger of falling foul of the rules and a sale was required. It looks like the 49ers will sacrifice Gray with Brentford the beneficiaries, even if it angers Leeds fans.

Smyth of the Yorkshire Evening Post reported on Twitter amid the Gray drama that a fee would be £40m with add-ons and that Gray would complete a medical in west London on Saturday night.

He also says Brentford want to complete a deal quickly to avoid a diversion from Tottenham or Chelsea. He said: “The deal is for £40m, the potential for add-ons and the payment schedule still under discussion.

“The doctor will be completed by tonight. Brentford will want to be wrapped up as soon as possible to avoid the hijack. Spurs and Chelsea are still passionate. P&S written all over it, but it’s still going to be hard to explain,” explained Smyth.

Why oh why are Leeds willing to sell Gray?

The things that are understandable from Leeds’ point of view are that possibly the club feel they could be in breach of the PSR rules. OK, but Leeds fans will be asking why does Gray have to be the one sacrificed?

Leeds fans will have accepted in recent weeks and months that Crysencio Summerville will be sold. And Willy Gnonto, given the Italian’s desire to leave the club last summer, and said no.

The reason it’s probably Gray is because there haven’t been offers on the table for the two wingers or any other players that would bring a significant return. Gray represents 100% profit in PSR eyes.

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