UPDATE: Rodon likely Leeds-bound in Gray exchange

Well, well, well.

Archie Gray’s transfer to Tottenham Hotspur seems almost like it’s only a matter of time (no, I’m not moving), with Spurs and Leeds currently in talks to finalize a deal in order to enable The Whites to avoid PSR sanctions. The other bit of movement going on in transfer-land for Spurs right now is the potential departure of Joe Rodon, with three clubs vying for the Welshman’s signature, as Dustin covered yesterday.

Well, how about killing two birds with one stone?

According to Alasdair Gold, it appears that Ipswich Town’s advances have been rejected, with Spurs instead opting to include Rodon in a partial swap for Gray. Dan Kilpatrick at the Evening Standard has backed this up, and from Leeds’ perspective it makes sense: they make the profit necessary to avoid the FA coming after to them to break their kneecaps with what are likely cricket bats in England, all while signing on a player who was key to a lot of their positives last season in a manner that probably doesn’t bother the accountants’ books too much.

The oft-forgotten cog in this wheel of craziness is the player, with Gold also mentioning Rodon being happy with the move. My early read of this was that Rodon would be unlikely to settle for a side playing Championship football, but from what Gold has said, the center back really enjoyed his time at the West Yorkshire club.

That makes this even more of a no-brainer for Leeds, and the Gray signing more attractive for Spurs, with a reduced outlay for a player with a lot of potential resulting in the signing being less of a gamble. Expect this one to move quickly: even as I write this up, there’s further reports coming in that Gray has agreed personal terms and has already completed part of his medical.

Let’s see.