Crystal Palace raided the Championship quite superbly around the start of the 2020s.
A £19.5m deal to sign Eberechi Eze from QPR in August 2020 was the first of the bunch, before Michael Olise followed in an £8m move from Reading in July 2021 and Adam Wharton then arrived in an £18m switch from Blackburn in January 2024.
Months before that latter deal materialised, Crystal Palace were also targeting Archie Gray as an alternative – according to The Sun in September 2023 – having admired the Leeds academy graduate for many years.
The England U21 international ended up moving to Tottenham in a £30m deal in July 2024 – but as Spurs embark on an expensive overhaul of their midfield department, Crystal Palace seemingly have another shot at signing the Yorkshireman.
Who is your DREAM signing? ⭐️
Archie Gray now on the market as Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali head to Tottenham
After avoiding relegation by a mere two points last season, Spurs have responded by splashing £85m and £100m on deals to sign Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali from West Ham and Newcastle respectively.
Gray only managed to make 18 Premier League starts last term, and that was before Roberto De Zerbi signed the expensive duo, so the 20-year-old now appears to be on the market.
Newcastle certainly seem to have been given that idea, as Fabrizio Romano claims the Magpies have already seen an undisclosed bid rejected for the Tottenham No.14 this summer.
As the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea monitor Wharton – and with the Daily Mail claiming that Crystal Palace want to sign a new central midfielder this summer anyway – this apparent opportunity to land Gray is too good for Parish to ignore.
Of course, it might be an expensive deal – Tottenham may even demand up to £50m as they aim to recoup some cash after a summer of heavy spending.
However, for a player who looks set to have an immensely bright career at this level for the next ten to 15 years, we feel it represents good value for money.
Furthermore – should it come down to a battle between us and Newcastle – we can offer Gray UEFA Europa League football next term, whereas the Magpies will not be featuring in any European competition.
Would Oliver Glasner ruin his Crystal Palace legacy by moving to Nottingham Forest? 🤔
Hopefully, Crystal Palace – at the very least – test the waters with a bid for the versatile midfielder, who can also play on the right of defence.
