Tottenham to label Gray, Gallagher, Maddison 'untouchable' if relegated
Tottenham Hotspur will resist any attempts to sign midfielders Archie Gray, Conor Gallagher, and James Maddison even if the club suffers relegation from the Premier League this season, according to sources. The club's internal stance, reported by journalist Graeme Bailey, is that the trio are considered 'untouchable' and would be central to an immediate promotion push should the worst occur. This comes amid growing speculation that a drop to the Championship would trigger a significant exodus of talent from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The policy is a direct response to reported interest in several key players. The Daily Mail claims that both Liverpool and Bayern Munich are monitoring the situation of 20-year-old Archie Gray, who joined Spurs from Leeds United for £40 million last summer. Despite Tottenham's dismal collective form, which sees them 18th in the table and without a league win in 2026, Gray has been a consistent performer. The report suggests moves for the England under-21 international would be launched if relegation is confirmed.
However, the club's hierarchy is determined to build any potential Championship campaign around a core featuring Gray, Gallagher, and Maddison. The expectation is that all three would remain to spearhead a promotion challenge. This stance represents a clear strategic shift, acknowledging the need for stability and quality in the event of the drop. Manager Roberto De Zerbi, who oversaw a 1-0 loss to Sunderland in his first game, would be tasked with integrating that core with new signings, as other established stars depart.
In contrast, the same reports indicate that defender Cristian Romero, centre-back Micky van de Ven, and attacking midfielder Xavi Simons are expected to be sold should relegation happen. The Mail cited that trio as 'leading the category' of players deemed too good for the second tier, with Tottenham likely to command substantial fees to aid a rebuild. The club may initially resist offers but is anticipated to eventually cash in to balance the books and reshape the squad.
The potential relegation also has consequences for incoming transfers. Tottenham had a verbal agreement in place with Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson, who is out of contract this summer, but prominent journalists Fabrizio Romano and David Ornstein have confirmed the Scotland captain would only join if Spurs retain their top-flight status. This illustrates the broader ripple effects of the club's precarious position, with planning for both scenarios now actively underway.
