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The Gray family’s discontent comes in the wake of Leeds United’s major transfer decision – David Ornstein

The Gray family’s discontent comes in the wake of Leeds United’s major transfer decision – David Ornstein

LEEDS, ENGLAND – AUGUST 18: General view outside the stadium before the Sky Bet Championship match between Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion at Elland Road on August 18, 2023 in Leeds, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Leeds United sold Archie Gray to Tottenham for a fee of £40m this week, but it’s a deal that hasn’t gone down well with the fans and possibly his family.

Daniel Farke’s side missed out on promotion in heartbreaking fashion as they lost in the play-off final to Southampton and it was inevitable that sacrifices would be made as a result this summer.

There was optimism among fans, however, that Archie Gray would be the one player the club did not let go due to his links here and sheer talent yet to be fully realized in midfield.

Archie Gray’s £40m sale sparks some discontent among midfielder’s entourage – David Ornstein

Leeds appeared to be under serious pressure to sell Gray this summer, and when Brentford and then Tottenham pursued a £40m deal, it became abundantly clear that he was to be sold.

Financial pressure tried to force Leeds’ hand to sell a star player, and David Ornstein of The Athletic shared that Gray was not the club’s priority in this regard.

Crysencio Summerville, Willy Gnonto and Illan Meslier were considered more palatable sales, but serious offers only came for Gray until the club had to cash in.

Happy to have Aaronson back?

What also emerged is that the way it was sold did not go down well with those close to Gray, presumably his family, including younger brother Harry and his great-uncle, club legend Eddie:

“At this point, there have been further conversations with Leeds, which has included chairman Paraag Marathe. Gray’s younger brother Harry is at the Leeds academy – another link between the Gray family and Elland Road – and it certainly wasn’t the case for a player trying to force a move to a club playing at a higher level .

“While Gray left no doubt that he was happy to stay at Leeds and that option was a possibility, there was frustration among those close to Gray at the way the situation was handled and the pressure it created. Under these circumstances, the deal made sense for Leeds. “

The 49ers could have handled this situation better with Gray

Selling Gray, regardless of the circumstances, was a deal that didn’t sit well with fans — and for good reason.

So often we have been cannon fodder for bigger clubs with our prized talent, especially home grown players like Gray.

We wanted to be in a strong position to keep him, but that wasn’t the case and you can see why those close to Gray are frustrated.

Let’s hope we’ve learned our lesson from this because there’s another extremely talented Gray brother in our books.

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