Tottenham player heads to Leeds United in shock transfer twist
Tottenham youth ace Roman Egan Riley will head to Leeds United on trial, according to LUFC Youth.
The Leeds insider reported via X on Sunday (12 January) that the 18-year-old will head to West Yorkshire on a trial period only one year after signing his first professional contract with Spurs.
While Ange Postecoglou works towards tying down some of his illustrious youth stars to long-term deals, the Tottenham boss has been slaughtered this season for failing to rely on the academy to help turn around his fortunes.
And his bullish stance has been received at Hotspur Way, as Egan Riley leaves North London to try his chances at the Championship leaders in a surprise twist.
Roman Egan Riley leaves Tottenham to trial at Leeds United
The Manchester-born defender was plucked from the Manchester City academy in 2023 and has found himself in Stuart Lewis’ Under-18s squad.
Riley made 10 appearances in the Under-18 Premier League last season but, after only half a dozen outings this year, is eager to test his talents away from Tottenham.
A wise decision, given his apparent lack of time at the academy level, but his decision to pursue alternative avenues is a damning indictment of Spurs.
While it is worth noting that Riley remains on the books in North London during the trial, he will join Leeds should Daniel Farke like what he sees from the youngster.
However, Daniel Levy has far greater concerns, and the decision to allow Riley to leave could be directly tied to ongoing PSR concerns.
According to former Premier League boss Martin Allen, Spurs could be forced into selling academy talent to abide by the rules, with no youngster safe from the axe.
It will be interesting to see how the situation develops in North London, but if Levy does not generate the required revenue, the supporters may be forced to watch the best young talent walk out the door at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
In other Tottenham news, how much Tamworth would have earned if they had an FA Cup replay at Spurs has been shared.
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