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| AFP Yonhap News |
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Tottenham succeeded in a large hijacking from the start of the transfer market this summer. However, club legend made a remark that put ashes on recruitment.
European football transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano reported on his personal SNS on the 1st (Korea time) that Tottenham's recruitment of Gray, saying, `Arch Gray is moving to Tottenham.' Romano added the signature phrase 'Here we go' to announce the imminent transfer.
Romano is waiting for the signing of the document after a consensus has been reached in principle between the clubs. Tottenham will pay a £40 million transfer fee, and Gray will join Tottenham. In addition, Joe Rhoden will head to Leeds United for a £10 million transfer fee. He also reported on Gray's addition to Tottenham and additional transfer deals between the two clubs.
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Gray is one of Tottenham's top prospects over the past year. Gray, who was born in 2006 in England, has already played a key role in Leeds, having experienced the English Championship (second division). He played 47 official games last season, playing his first full-time season, and played roles in various positions from right full-back to central midfielder and attacking midfielder. Gray, who stands out for his large height, compliance with post-pressure, passes, dribbles, and agile movements, has defensive skills and speed, and was even evaluated as the "second Jude Bellingham".
Gray has also played for Leeds United from generation to generation, with Tottenham's move to leave the family business and set foot on the bigger stage. It is the great-grandfather of Eddie Gray, a player who led Leeds' golden years in the 1970s, and his grandfather also played for Leeds. Andy Gray, the father, also spent his career in Leeds.
Gray was initially close to a Brentford move. It has been reported that Leeds have accepted Brentford's offer and Gray's trip to Brentford is likely. Things have changed drastically. Gray went through a medical test but began to show interest in Tottenham's temptation, and Leeds were also unhappy with Brentford's transfer payment structure and began to review the offer again. In the end, Tottenham, aiming for the opportunity, hijacked Gray at the last minute, allowing the team to embrace the prospect it had longed for.
Tottenham can expect the effect of killing two birds with one stone by recruiting Gray. Thanks to Gray's ability to play various positions, Emerson Royal's transfer can fill the back-up right full-back spot, which will leave a gap, and if Gray plays as a central midfielder, he could further strengthen his midfield competitiveness, which was disappointing at the end of last season.
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On the other hand, there were also people who sprayed ash toward Tottenham fans who were happy to recruit Gray. It was legendary Chris Wardle from Tottenham.
Legend Wordle, who is a panelist for British public broadcaster BBC Sport and played for Tottenham, Newcastle, and Marseille during his time as an active player, highly appreciated Tottenham's recruitment of Gray but angered fans by adding shocking personal opinions.
England's Team Talk reported on the 2nd that 'Wordle supported Gray's move to Tottenham as a springboard for Real Madrid'
Wordle said of Gray's recruitment that "Grey is the man of the ideal Tottenham project. Tottenham have a history of bringing in young players and offering them opportunities"I saw Tottenham smartly transfer young players. If Gray recognizes his potential and lives up to his potential, he may move to Real for a huge transfer fee in the future and follow the path of the likes of Gareth Bale and Luka Modric," he said, predicting that Gray could head to Real based on his performance at Tottenham.
For Tottenham fans, both Modric and Bale cases are painful memories of losing the core of the team, and it is a story that fans cannot but rejoice that Wordle mentioned that it is possible to even transfer to Real.
With Tottenham's hijacking, the summer transfer market has begun in earnest. It may be painful for Gray, who grew up in Tottenham, to head to Real, but this transfer will be what Tottenham desperately wants for him to grow into a player so good as to covet in Real.
digh1229@sportschosun.com
