While speculation mounts over his future, one Leeds United player is reportedly eyeing a positional change next season.
Though there still remains uncertain as to which of his key players will be here next season, Daniel Farke will undoubtedly be drawing up ways as to how he can get more of his squad come August.
It is hard to shy away from the fact Farke’s first season at Elland Road must be regarded as a failure after missing out on promotion, but 49ers Enterprises are continuing to back him as their man.
Farke had a number of Premier League quality players in his squad and may not have the luxury of such strength next term.
That said, chairman Paraag Marathe has insisted funds will be available for the German to spend, and if done so correctly, there is no reason Leeds cannot go one better next time around.
- READ MORE: Chelsea now targeting move for English left-back Leeds United had been ‘pushing’ to sign in December
Transfer insider shares brand new Archie Gray Leeds update
Marc Roca and Jack Harrison look set to be the first players out of Leeds this summer but the exits are certainly not expected to stop there.
There will have to be members of Leeds’ squad from last season that depart, with Crysencio Summerville and Archie Gray the most heavily speculated so far.
Gray is attracting interest from a lot of elite clubs from across Europe with Tottenham Hotspur seemingly the latest to express a genuine desire in signing him.
However, Gray is not expected to push for a departure from his boyhood club this summer, with both him and his family viewing Elland Road as the best place to continue his development.
He made over 50 appearances in his breakthrough season at Leeds, the majority of which actually came at right-back, despite central midfield being his main position in the academy.
Speaking exclusively to LeedsUnited.News, though, transfer insider Graeme Bailey says he has been told Gray is keen on transitioning back into the middle of the park next season.
He said: “Going forward I have been told he wants to play in midfield, will we see that happen this season at Leeds? It will be interesting. It wouldn’t surprise me if someone does test the water with him this summer, but I am not expecting him to leave.
“But never say never. I don’t think Leeds would let Gray go for less than £40m, even a £50m deal. They would want big, big money and rightly so.”
- READ MORE: How much money Leeds United will actually get for loaning Jack Harrison to Everton for a second time
Gray and Ethan Ampadu should form Leeds’ midfield partnership
Gray and Ethan Ampadu actually started as Farke’s first choice midfield partnership at Leeds last season, though that had very much changed by the end.
Farke’s decision to move the ‘special‘ Gray back to right-back, as well as the need for Ampadu to fill in for Pascal Struijk in central defence, meant neither ended the campaign in the engine room.
Glen Kamara and Ilia Gruev was instead the duo of choice from around mid-January onwards, and certainly in the first couple of months it worked.
However, there is no doubt Leeds are stronger when Ampadu is in there. In terms of his partner, it is probably between Kamara and Gray for that box-to-box role, but it would be nice to see the latter get another proper chance in his best position.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
