Leeds United reject £40m deal as Chelsea, Tottenham and Aston Villa circle for Archie Gray

A deal worth around £40m taking Archie Gray to Brentford has been rejected at the 11th hour by Leeds United. The 18-year-old travelled to West London yesterday to undertake a medical after a transfer had been agreed in principle between the clubs.

However, on Sunday morning, LeedsLive understands the Whites were unhappy with the structure of the deal the Bees were offering and cancelled the transfer. The news will come as a major relief to supporters angry with the decision to sell arguably the club’s best academy graduate in 20 years after one season in the first team.

Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa are all understood to remain interested in the Thorp Arch prodigy and may now be emboldened by Brentford’s fate. Thomas Frank’s side could of course return with an improved bid, but their inability to strike a deal, with Gray in the palm of their hands, would suggest they cannot meet United’s demands.

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Two days after May’s Championship play-off final loss, chairman Paraag Marathe could not guarantee Gray would still be a Leeds player on September 1. The teenager is the apple of every fan’s eye, but the progress of a deal with Brentford shows Gray’s exit is a very real possibility if United’s terms are met.

Daniel Farke and the first-team squad are set to return to Thorp Arch next week for the beginning of pre-season. With no international duty in the close season, Gray should be among the first players to start the summer training programme.