Brentford are on the verge of securing the signature of Leeds United’s teenage midfielder Archie Gray, having agreed on a fee that could potentially rise to £40m including add-ons.
The 18-year-old is expected to undergo a medical soon after Brentford matched Leeds’ valuation.
If finalized, this deal would establish Gray as Brentford’s record signing.
Negotiations are ongoing, but the England Under-21 international has been granted permission to enter direct discussions with Brentford.
The move is aimed at completion before the Financial Fair Play (FFP) deadline of 30 June set by the English Football League.
Leeds, having narrowly missed promotion to the Premier League after losing to Southampton in the Championship play-off final, are anticipated to engage in player sales during the summer transfer window.
Securing Gray would represent a significant achievement for Brentford, who face competition from the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea, and Tottenham for the talented academy graduate from West Yorkshire.
Gray featured prominently for Leeds last season, appearing in 52 matches across all competitions primarily in midfield, occasionally slotting in at right-back.
Manager Thomas Frank is preparing to commence pre-season squad preparations at Brentford next week, having steered the team clear of relegation concerns in May.