Leeds United's Harry Gray plan centres on one crucial Sheffield Wednesday factor
Leeds United youngster Harry Gray looks certain to join Sheffield Wednesday on loan.
The 17-year-old enjoyed his first taste of senior football at Rotherham United last season.
He scored three goals for the Millers, who ultimately went on to be relegated to the fourth tier.
There was a school of thought that Gray may be loaned out to a Championship club this season to further his development.
However, Leeds are looking to give him more experience in League One, with the relegated Owls and Huddersfield Town having emerged as frontrunners.
Henrik Pedersen's side are leading the race, though, and one crucial factor has now emerged in Leeds' thinking.
Why do Leeds prefer Sheffield Wednesday move for Harry Gray?
There may be some surprise among the fanbase that Leeds have not looked for a second-tier club to send prodigious talent Gray to.
But it quickly emerged that Leeds were looking to keep him local, and another year in League One represents a good opportunity to boost Gray's physical development.
Moreover, Beren Cross has reported more details on Leeds' thinking in a report for the Athletic.
Cross wrote that Leeds are keen on sending Gray to Wednesday so he can experience playing in front a busy and demanding Hillsborough crowd.
The Owls are rebuilding under new owners Arise Capital, led by American businessman David Storch, after the turmoil of the Dejphon Chansiri era.
Wednesday have broken their record for season-ticket sales for the upcoming campaign, so Gray will be playing in front of bumper home crowds next term.
Cross says a source revealed that has played a big part in Leeds' thinking when deciding where to send Gray.
What are Leeds' long-term hopes for Harry Gray?
Leeds, of course, made big money on Harry's brother Archie Gray just a couple of years ago when he was sold to Tottenham.
Gray has built up a reputation as a poacher with a keen eye for goal in the developmental teams, and now the plan is to really test him in senior football.
He had a good introduction to that with Rotherham last season, but there is a hope he will playing for a team that is building a squad capable of going for promotion.
If he performs well for Wednesday this term, then the situation is sure to be reassessed in 12 months time.
It might be that Leeds look to send him to a higher level in the future, with an eye to developing him for first-team footall at Elland Road in the future.