Leeds United interest in Borussia Dortmund man will be music to Archie Gray's ears: View | OneFootball

Archie Gray had a breakthrough season at Leeds United, proving his talent and versatility to many at Elland Road.

However, he has rarely been able to feature in his natural position of centre midfield, with the young Englishman deployed at right-back at times this season.

It was recently reported though that Leeds may be looking at bringing in Borussia Dortmund's Marius Wolf, a natural right-back, meaning that Gray could be set to feature more heavily in midfield next season, and potentially star.

Leeds United interest in Marius Wolf

Leeds have been searching for a right-back for the majority of this season, with the form of club servant Luke Ayling and the failed loan of Djed Spence meaning they had to shoehorn Gray into the spot, taking him away from central midfield. Connor Roberts was signed in January and Sam Byram is at the club, but Leeds have been at their best with Gray at right-back.

Moving into next season, those four other players will not be contracted. Neither will Cody Drameh and, interestingly, the only contracted right-back at the club is going to be Rasmus Kristensen - viewed very much as a Jesse Marsch flop.

They may have been handed the opportunity to finally fill the spot, however, following reports by Sky Germany confirming that they are interested in Marius Wolf of Borussia Dortmund.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg reported that Leeds had inquired about the 28-year-old and the possibility of signing him on a free transfer.

He did, however, say that the German would only be a target if Leeds achieved promotion to the Premier League and that they are not the only club targeting him, with sides in Spain, Italy and even in Saudi Arabia looking into the possibility of signing him.

Archie Gray's return to central midfield

If Leeds successfully secure promotion and follow through on their interest in Marius Wolf, then it will pave the way for Archie Gray to return to central midfield and star in his natural position.

Having played in the position throughout most of his youth days, his switch to right-back this season has likely frustrated him, even if he has had a good breakthrough year in 2023/24.

His path in central midfield has not only been blocked by his position switch, but also arguably because of the form of Glen Kamara and Ilia Gruev, both of whom have maintained a solid and stable partnership in the middle of the park. The pair have been Leeds boss Daniel Farke's preferred pairing in 2024 in particular, making 66 appearances combined throughout the season. Gray had a stint there towards the end of the season and in the first-leg play-off semi-final against Norwich City, yet it is right-back where he's expected to play at Wembley.

If Wolf is signed, however, it will give Gray the perfect opportunity to shine in midfield and return to a position he is much more familiar with, whether that be in a Leeds team playing in the Championship or the Premier League.

Archie Gray's future away from Elland Road

While Gray's future in the Leeds team has only just been discussed, there is a factor that has not been considered just yet.

There is the potential that Gray may not be a Leeds player come the start of next season.

If Leeds do get promoted, they will hope that the offer of Premier League football may just be enough for them to keep hold of their teenage star, but it might not be such an easy job.

As recently as April, there were reports linking Gray with a move away from Elland Road, with clubs such as Bayern Munich and Real Madrid scouting the youngster toward the end of the season, as well as Borussia Dortmund paying attention to the 18-year-old starlet.

What will make for even worse reading for Leeds fans is that if they fail to topple Southampton in this weekend's play-off final, then it may be an impossible task to keep hold of him.

Given that even before he was a first team member at Leeds, there was interest from Liverpool and Manchester City in securing his services, it seems that Gray has plenty of suitors waiting to take him away from Leeds if the Whites fail to beat the Saints at Wembley.

Whether he does play for Leeds next year, and whether he plays in the Premier League or the Championship, Gray will be hoping to return to central midfield to fully deliver on what has been a first season filled with promise, and earmark himself as a player with the potential to become a star of the game.

Right now, we have to assume he will be with Leeds given his contract length at the club. Links to Wolf, then, who would likely arrive if the club were in the Premier League, will be huge for Gray.