Leeds United’s defeat to Southampton in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium has had far-reaching consequences that will linger throughout the summer and beyond, forcing the club to sell Archie Gray to Tottenham.
Leeds have to move Gray or another key player after failing to regain promotion to the Premier League. The accounts have to be balanced, and Gray’s £40 million move will help Leeds raise much-needed funds.
If Leeds had beaten Southampton at the end of May, the Whites would have received Premier League revenue in the form of television money, eliminating the need to sell Gray or another Leeds player.
That and the money earned from winning the most costly match in club football. Leeds has also missed out on a number of transfer targets since the team will not play in the Premier League.
One of them recently won the league under Brendan Rodgers and now wants to join Southampton:
Linked with Leeds, playmaker wants £30 million Southampton move
Leeds were looking to sign the “wonderful” Matt O’Riley if the club was promoted. It comes after Leeds made a £10 million deal for him near the conclusion of the 2023 summer window, which Celtic declined.
The Danish star had a magnificent 2023-24 season, scoring 37 goals in 48 appearances to help Rodgers win the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup as Celtic maintained their supremacy.
However, he appears to be ready for a big-money summer move, with Give Me Sport reporting that O’Riley is now interested in a move to Southampton and reuniting with his former MK Dons manager Russell Martin, with Celtic seeking £30 million.
Leeds came close to signing £30 million O’Riley on two occasions.
Last summer, if Leeds had returned with a slightly improved offer, Celtic could have been persuaded. They paid £1.5 million for him and would have made a large profit if Leeds had bid around £15 million.
But Leeds didn’t, and his worth has skyrocketed since. If Leeds had beaten Southampton, the Whites might have pursued him again, implying that the outcome of one game had cost Leeds O’Riley’s services.
O’Riley will undoubtedly have a successful career, most likely in the Premier League. The relationship between O’Riley and Martin, as well as Celtic and Southampton, suggests that a deal may be reached.
