Kevin Nagle must strike Huddersfield Town transfer revenge over Sheffield Wednesday | OneFootball

Sheffield Wednesday beat Huddersfield Town to the loan signing of Harry Gray, but the Terriers could pip the Owls to the arrival of Archie Collins

Sheffield Wednesday were able to secure the loan services of highly-rated striker Harry Gray from Leeds United this summer, despite there being numerous other suitors.

The 17-year-old was prolific playing up for the Under-21s at Elland Road in the opening stages of the past season, and it was evident that he needed senior minutes under his belt last January.

That came at Rotherham United, and despite not being able to stave off relegation to League Two with the Millers, Gray still put in several promising displays, netting three times in 20 games, and it's earned him a move to a side with a lot more quality who are expected to challenge further towards the top of the division.

Sheffield Wednesday proved to be that side, with their location proving a selling factor, as Leeds looked to send their prospect to a fellow Yorkshire club. But the Owls still had to fend off interest from Huddersfield Town, who were also looking at Gray to bolster their frontline.

In the end, Huddersfield and Kevin Nagle were left to watch on as their target signed for their divisional rivals, but they should use that disappointment as fuel to ensure that a free agent target they are both linked with should come to the Accu Stadium instead of Hillsborough.

Huddersfield Town should beat out Sheffield Wednesday and others for Archie Collins

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It's still somewhat surprising that Archie Collins hasn't landed at a new club just yet, with it being over two months now since the 26-year-old was revealed to be leaving Peterborough United at the conclusion of his contract this summer.

The defensive midfielder has been one of the more reliable players in League One over the past four seasons, missing just one league game in his first year at the level with Exeter City, and missing nine combined in the subsequent three after arriving at London Road.

Perhaps the time being taken to sign on elsewhere is to do with the fact that there is plenty of competition for his signature. Alan Nixon stated that seven sides are in the running, three from the Championship, Millwall, Watford and Portsmouth, and four from League One, Huddersfield, Sheffield Wednesday, Oxford United and Reading.

Last season, Collins was a bright spark in what was otherwise a rather tumultuous campaign for Posh, as they started the season at the foot of the table under Darren Ferguson, shot up it after Luke Williams arrived and then plateaued late on, finishing 18th.

Per Fotmob, he ranked in the top 10% of defensive midfielders in League One for defensive contributions, interceptions, percentage of duels won, as well as successful passes and assists.

Understandably, ambitious third-tier sides are looking at him, alongside Championship clubs, too, and this presents a big opportunity for the Terriers to show their intentions to be right at the top of League One at the third time of asking and continue building a side who could easily compete in the second tier.

Huddersfield Town's midfield could use an Archie Collins addition

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Huddersfield have been busy in the midfield market already this summer, signing Ethan Brierley from Brentford, following a strong campaign with Exeter last season.

Some Town fans may feel that a midfield pivot of Ryan Ledson and Brierley will be good enough next season, but having depth options is always important in a long 46-game season.

Additionally, Collins would definitely usurp the 22-year-old in Martin Drury's starting line-up next year.

The former Peterborough man is a much more well-rounded defensive midfield option, and would do a better job filling the Cameron Humphreys-shaped hole in the middle of the park, who excelled while on loan from Ipswich Town in the latter half of last season.

On a free transfer, there'd arguably be no better value-for-money signings in League One this summer, and if Huddersfield can beat out Sheffield Wednesday for his signature, after they beat the Terriers for Gray's, then the arrival would be even sweeter.