Ex-Leeds United star could now join Archie Gray at Spurs in £25m 'transfer raid'
The Leeds United academy graduate could be joined by a former teammate in North London this month.
Archie Gray could be reunited with a former Leeds United teammate at Tottenham Hotspur this month amid reports a bid is being prepared for West Ham’s Crysencio Summerville.
Gray and Summerville both left Leeds in the summer of 2024, joining Spurs and West Ham respectively for a combined £68million. The pair joined Georginio Rutter in stepping up to the Premier League after the Championship play-off final defeat to Southampton condemned the Whites to another year of second-tier football.
Summerville moved on after being crowned 2023/24 Championship Player of the Season having registered 20 goals and nine assists across the regular campaign and play-offs. The Dutchman’s release clause, which the YEP reported at the time was worth £28m, was triggered by the Hammers in August.
But he is now at risk of dropping back into the Championship with West Ham, who at the moment look most likely to join Burnley and Wolves in the bottom three. The Hammers are two places and eight points short of Leeds in 16th, with reports suggesting they could now lose their winger.
The Daily Mail report that Spurs are planning a ‘transfer raid’ on their London rivals with Summerville eyed for a January move, just days after scoring in a 2-1 win over Thomas Frank’s side. The Danish coach is believed to be on the lookout for a tricky left-winger, having not yet filled the gap left by Son Heung-Min’s summer move to the United States.
As such, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium chiefs are believed to be preparing a £25m bid for Summerville, who could reunite with former Leeds teammate Gray in the capital. The 19-year-old has struggled for regular football at Spurs but continues to impress when given the chance, be it at full-back or in midfield.
A potentially huge blow for Leeds United’s relegation rivals
Gray and Summerville played the majority of Leeds’ 2023/24 Championship campaign together as regular starters, albeit at opposite ends of the pitch. The 24-year-old’s potential move would also be another major blow for West Ham, with Nuno Espirito Santo understandably desperate to keep the wide man.
Summerville has scored in his last two appearances for West Ham and is widely regarded as one of their rare bright sparks this season. The Hammers were due to significantly strengthen their relegation-threatened squad this month and could therefore do without one of their current top performers leaving.
Espirito Santo is already facing the prospect of potentially losing Lucas Paqueta, who has made clear his desire to leave the UK and return to boyhood club Flamengo this month. The Hammers face a difficult decision, either losing one of their most talented attackers or keeping a player with no desire to stay for a gritty relegation scrap.
West Ham have so far signed forward pair Pablo Felipe and Taty Castellanos for a combined £45m, although they are yet to score a Premier League goal. Espirito Santo is thought to also want significant reinforcements in defence and midfield but it remains to be seen if those above the Portuguese boss can get business done.