Tottenham midfielder Archie Gray with Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes inset
Tottenham midfielder Archie Gray with Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes inset
That is according to former senior Tottenham scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.
The Magpies reportedly sent an opening offer for the 20-year-old at the start of the month, but received no joy from the Lilywhites.
Gray is under contract until 2030 at Tottenham but has seen £185million worth of players arrive in his position already this summer, with future opportunities potentially limited.
Newcastle are bracing for Guimaraes' potential exit this summer after he asked to join Premier League champions Arsenal.
The Gunners are yet to lodge an official bid, but are thought to be seriously interested in taking the Newcastle captain to North London.
The midfielder's two-years since have seen him plunged into the deep end, often asked to perform various roles for a side seriously struggling.
Gray played the majority of his minutes at centre-back in the 2024-25 season, and featured in midfield and on both flanks in the campaign just gone.
He remains a highly-touted talent in North London, but it is beginning to become unclear where his role lies under Roberto De Zerbi.
Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke have arrived at centre-back, while Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes are the new defensive midfielders.
"I think there's a possibility that Grey, if Guimaraes did go, could be a player who could be interesting to come into a holding midfield position in the Newcastle side," King told Football Insider.
"That could be a goer, because I don't think he's going to be guaranteed a permanent place here at Spurs, to be honest, after what's been brought in.
"He's played full-back. He's played centre half. He's played holding centre midfield. I'd be tempted a little bit if I was Archie Gray to think if the manager informed him that he's not going to have a starting position.
"I think if Guimaraes went from Newcastle, Archie Gray could be a bloody good replacement."
Actions to speak louder than words for Roberto De Zerbi
In May, De Zerbi publicly waxed lyrical about Gray and looked to insist upon his role in the Tottenham team.
"He is very young, [but] big potential as a player. I think he can become the future," the Italian said. "I am sure he can become the future of this club and the captain of this club.
"He has to understand better what will be his position on the pitch. He can play in a lot of positions, but maybe I would like him to be more specific in one position."
Yet currently Gray's only sense of De Zerbi's trust in him is that the midfielder featured for just eight minutes total from Tottenham's final five Premier League games of the season.
The Tottenham manager will have to prove to the youngster that his words have merit, or they risk losing a potentially huge talent.