Tottenham Hotspur looking to beat Chelsea to signing of highly rated midfielder: Reports

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly joined the race to snap up Chelsea-linked star Archie Gray ahead of the upcoming 2024-25 campaign.

Gray, 18, has emerged as one of the hottest midfield prospects due to his breakout season at Leeds United. He helped Daniel Farke's team finish third in the 2023-24 EFL Championship table, but failed to guide them to a win against Southampton in the play-off final.

A right-footed tireless central operator adept at operating at right-back, Gray made 52 appearances across all competitions for Leeds last term. He recorded one goal and two assists in 47 starts last campaign.

Due to his excellent season in the Championship, Chelsea have identified Gray as a transfer target this summer, as per The Telegraph. Leeds are thought to entertain offers of over £30 million for their youth product having missed out on promotion to the Premier League.

Now, according to talkSPORT, Tottenham are interested in signing the midfielder in the summer transfer window. They are likely to face tough competition from a host of clubs in Spain and Germany this summer.

Should Gray decide to join Ange Postecoglou's side, he would emerge as a crucial squad player for them. He would compete with the likes of Rodrigo Bentancur and Yves Bissouma for a spot in their double pivot.

Chelsea urged to rope in French defender

Speaking to betting website Gambling Zone, ex-Blues star William Gallas asserted that his former club should sign France and Bayern Munich star Dayot Upamecano this year. He said (h/t DAZN):

"Wesley Fofana is quality but he's so injury prone and his big knee injury hampered his progress completely. Right now, Chelsea's defenders are all young and they lack a world class defender, so that would be my priority in the summer. Dayot Upamecano is good and has been very solid for France at the Euros so maybe he could be a good option."

Gallas, who helped Chelsea lift two league titles as a player, added:

"They need a defender who can read the game and can be a leader, because when you have experience, you've played so many games and know how to control a match and different situations. If they are young, they have a different profile and with the players they have, they need a leader who can drive them and who can teach them."

Upamecano, 25, has helped Bayern Munich win four trophies and has featured in 114 games across all competitions for them, scoring thrice.

Chelsea, on the other hand, announced Tosin Adarabioyo's signing on a four-year deal after the player left Fulham at the end of his contract.