The Leeds United ‘special’ player wants to play in a different position under Daniel Farke next season

It’s hard to get away from the fact that Farke’s first season at Elland Road has to be seen as a failure after missing out on promotion, but 49ers Enterprises continue to back him as their man.

Farke has had a number of Premier League quality players in his squad and may not have the luxury of such a force for the foreseeable future.

That said, chairman Paraag Marathe has insisted there will be funds available for the German to spend and if done right, there’s no reason Leeds can’t go one better next time.

Transfer insider shares new Archie Gray Leeds update

Marc Roca and Jack Harrison look set to be Leeds’ first signings this summer, but they certainly don’t expect the exits to stop there.

It will have to be members of last season’s Leeds squad to leave, with Crysencio Summerville and Archie Gray the most heavily speculated so far.

Gray is attracting interest from many elite clubs across Europe, with Tottenham Hotspur apparently the latest to express a genuine desire to sign him.

However, Gray is not expected to push for a move away from his boyhood club this summer, with both he and his family believing Elland Road is the best place for him to continue his development.

He made over 50 appearances in his breakthrough season at Leeds, most of which actually came at right-back, despite central midfield being his primary position in the academy.

Speaking exclusively to LeedsUnited.NewsHowever, transfer insider Graeme Bailey says he has been told Gray is keen to return to the middle of the park next season.

He said: “Next, I’m told he wants to play in midfield, will we see that this season at Leeds? It will be interesting. It wouldn’t surprise me if someone tests the water with it this summer, but I don’t expect it to go away.

“But never say never. I don’t think Leeds would let Gray leave for less than £40m, even in a £50m deal. They would want big, big money and rightfully so.”

Gray and Ethan Ampadu should form Leeds’ midfield partnership

Gray and Ethan Ampadu actually started as Farke’s first-choice midfield partners at Leeds last season, although that changed a lot towards the end.

Farke’s decision to move the ‘special’ Gray back to right-back, as well as the need for Ampadu to replace Pascal Struijk in central defence, meant neither finished the campaign in the engine room.

Glen Kamara and Ilia Gruev has instead been the duo of choice since mid-January and certainly in the first two months it has worked.

However, there is no doubt that Leeds are stronger when Ampadu is there. As for his partner, it’s probably between Kamara and Gray for that box-to-box role, but it would be nice to see the latter get another shot at the top position.

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