Josh Warrington is busy preparing for his next fight in September but he hopes Leeds United smash their record transfer on one player, when his beloved club are back in the Champions League.
The 33-year-old two-time IBF featherweight world champion is due to face Anthony Cacace for the super-featherweight title in September at Wembley, on the undercard of Anthony Joshua facing Daniel Dubois.
The ‘Leeds warrior’ remains just as passionate though about Daniel Farke’s side, and discussed the sale of a certain Archie Gray who has left the club to join Tottenham in a £40m deal, Joe Rodon coming to Leeds.
The teen has been at Spurs for the last couple of weeks following his move, which was Leeds’ third most-expensive sale ever behind Kalvin Phillips’ £45m Man City move, and Raphinha’s £55m Barcelona deal.
Warrington hopes Leeds can re-sign Gray in the next few years
His exit came as a surprise and was met with a statement from Leeds, expressing their understanding of the sadness his exit has brought among fans. But it does mean £30m profit, and the signing of Rodon.
Gray is now preparing for a season in the Premier League and the Europa League, as well as perhaps cementing his place in England’s U21 side and who knows, maybe even breaking into the senior squad.
Speaking to LeedsUnited.News, Warrington said that he hopes Leeds can re-sign Gray down the line and doesn’t blame the teenager for leaving Leeds to join Spurs. He does question if it was all his decision.
“Young, ambitious, he’s got good people around him. He comes from a footballing family. I hope when we’re high-flyers in the Champions League in a few years, he comes back to Leeds for a record fee.
“I wish him all the best. You can’t blame him for taking an opportunity. Was it fully in his hands? I’m not too sure. But I wish him well,” boxer Warrington told us when asked about Gray’s move to Tottenham.
Leeds need to get their skates on ahead of Portsmouth opener
The undoing of Leeds’ push for promotion last term came right at the start of the season. Just three wins from the first nine games cost The Whites at the end of the campaign and Leeds must get that right.
Just three signings made in the face of a firesale of players, the latest of which looks set to be Finnish star Glen Kamara to French side Rennes. Joe Rothwell, Alex Cairns and Rodon have joined Leeds this summer.
Rothwell is expected to provide cover in midfield while Cairns is a replacement for third-choice stopper Kris Klaesson, who has headed to Poland. Leeds need to bring in some signings as quickly as possible.