It's no surprise Sheffield United want Leeds United stalwart: View | OneFootball

Luke Ayling left Leeds United after seven-and-a-half years to join Middlesbrough in January, having achieved legendary status in West Yorkshire, but could be moving to South Yorkshire and Sheffield United this summer.

The right-back signed for Leeds for a nominal fee from Bristol City in August 2016 to join Garry Monk's side, and he went on to become a key player for the club over the years, making well over 250 appearances.

During that period, Ayling starred for a long time as one of the club's most consistent performers, but particularly in Marcelo Bielsa’s side, who ended Leeds’ long wait outside the top-flight.

He made himself a firm favourite with those on the terraces due to his effort and tenacity at the club, which had long been a feature of his game prior to Bielsa's arrival, and the intense out of possession approach which came with it.

He was rewarded with Premier League starts by being an ever-present in their inaugural season in the top-flight, but naturally, with his age, Ayling began to feature less, and that has been evidenced this season with just 15 appearances under Daniel Farke.

The 32-year-old then struggled for game time this season for the Whites, with Farke utilising the likes of Archie Gray, Djed Spence, Jamie Shackleton, Sam Byram, and Connor Roberts at right-back for much of the campaign, so a January move was always likely to come to fruition.

Ayling's current situation

With his contract expiring in the summer, it means the defender has now almost certainly played in his last game for the Whites after his game time diminished and Ayling moved to Middlesbrough on loan.

At Boro, Ayling has returned to his best self again, with lung-busting runs down the right-hand flank and neat interplay with interior players back to being strong features of his game.

He has made 17 appearances so far, notching five assists in the process, and that form hasn't gone unnoticed after contributing so positively and becoming a key part of Michael Carrick’s squad.

The right-back has interest from Sheffield United, who are weighing up a move for him this summer, according to The Sun. Chris Wilder is keen to sign Ayling to strengthen his defensive unit, irrespective of which division his side end up in next term.

Sheffield United is a logical move for Luke Ayling

From the perspective of Ayling, he has been in Yorkshire for so long and has a young family, so staying within familiar surroundings would make a lot of sense for him. Whilst he would also be in line for plenty of starts, with a number of Sheffield United's senior and more experienced players running low on contract.

That should open up a spot for him as a right-sided central defender in a back three, where Ayling would almost certainly be at his best now in 2024 at the age of almost 33.

He is still able to carry the ball out, which he is particularly adept at, but has enough versatility that he could operate at right-back or right wing-back if absolutely necessary as well. He is very much a Wilder-type player, with strong work ethic, and the ability to be a utility man.

Above all, though, Ayling could help with their promotion efforts, with the Blades near certainties to come straight back down. He has the required leadership skills and is one of the most well-respected players in any dressing room, which was particularly true during his time at Elland Road.

Sheffield United bounce back up at the first time of asking, in what is certain to be somewhat of a difficult and transitional campaign.