Leeds United's best XI and bench minus Archie Gray and second expected 'deadline' transfer

Published 30th Jun 2024, 13:46 BST

Updated 30th Jun 2024, 14:00 BST

Tottenham are hoping to sign Archie Gray before a Sunday night deadline – and Leeds United’s best XI and bench could very quickly have a different look to it.

Leeds have Profitability and Sustainability regulations to contend with and need to sell an asset this summer as tonight’s PSR deadline looms. Eighteen-year-old midfielder Gray looked set to join Brentford after terms were agreed on Saturday and the star headed for a medical but Leeds pulled the plug this morning and rejected the club’s offer - believed to be amounting to £40m - due to concerns about the payment structure.

But Chelsea and Tottenham remained interested in the England under-21s star and Spurs have now moved into pole position with talks ongoing about a deal for the young Whites midfielder. Charlie Cresswell, meanwhile, is understood to be close to sealing a switch to French side Toulouse for a reported fee of around £3.8m. The deal is near completion and expected to be announced imminently.

Only four players bagged more minutes than Gray for Leeds last term whilst Cresswell often took his place amongst the substitutes. With both players seemingly nearing departures, United’s strongest side and bench could soon have a very different look to it and here we run through what the best available team and set of nine substitutes might then look like.

Clear first choice keeper as things stand.

1. GK: Illan Meslier

Clear first choice keeper as things stand.Photo: Mike Hewitt

A sale of Archie Gray would leave Byram as the natural first choice right back although Rasmus Kristensen could emerge as the obvious alternative should be return to the mix from last season's loan spell at Roma.

2. RB: Sam Byram

A sale of Archie Gray would leave Byram as the natural first choice right back although Rasmus Kristensen could emerge as the obvious alternative should be return to the mix from last season's loan spell at Roma.Photo: George Wood

Joe Rodon has returned to Tottenham and, unless Leeds can strike a deal to get him back, Struijk would likely be first choice centre-back when he returns from injury.

3. CB: Pascal Struijk

Joe Rodon has returned to Tottenham and, unless Leeds can strike a deal to get him back, Struijk would likely be first choice centre-back when he returns from injury.Photo: George Wood

Naturally a centre midfielder but Leeds still have other good options in that position which might lead to Ampadu staying at centre-back, the position which he filled after Struijk became injured.

4. CB: Ethan Ampadu

Naturally a centre midfielder but Leeds still have other good options in that position which might lead to Ampadu staying at centre-back, the position which he filled after Struijk became injured.Photo: Ed Sykes

A pretty straightforward pick as first choice left back.

5. LB: Junior Firpo

A pretty straightforward pick as first choice left back.Photo: George Wood

If Gray departs and Ampadu plays at centre-back then the centre midfield pretty much picks itself, at least until exciting youngster Charlie Crew begins pushing for a start.

6. CM: Ilia Gruev

If Gray departs and Ampadu plays at centre-back then the centre midfield pretty much picks itself, at least until exciting youngster Charlie Crew begins pushing for a start.Photo: Michael Regan

Charlie Cresswell Tottenham Sustainability Leeds Chelsea

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