Leeds United are set for a tumultuous summer of ups and downs and the first of those looks to have just come to light, in the form of playmaker Brenden Aaronson.
The 23-year-old struggled in his first season at Leeds after becoming Jesse Marsch’s first signing for a huge £25m fee from Salzburg. A move that saw Aaronson reunite with Marsch, but things didn’t work.
Often criticised by Leeds fans for his lack of physicality, Aaronson managed just one goal in 40 matches for Leeds. It saw him jump ship at the first opportunity, using Victor Orta’s relegation loan clause in 2023.
He moved to Bundesliga side Union Berlin, who had qualified for the Champions League. Those eight players who used the loan clause have been vilified by the club’s supporters, exiting at the first chance.
Rather than rectifying the part they played in the club’s relegation to The Championship. Aaronson was poor during the first half of the season, but got a lot better in the second half as Union survived the drop.
Leeds make surprise Brenden Aaronson decision after Farke talks
Union needed a win on the final day and got it, scoring an extra-time winner to beat Freiburg. Aaronson got an assist for Union’s first goal but it was confirmed soon after that he would not be staying at Union.
Graham Smyth now reports on The Yorkshire Evening Post’s website that Aaronson and Farke have held talks. Those talks have seen Farke and Leeds decide to keep Aaronson ahead of the 2024-24 campaign.
A shock decision, given the fan criticism of the “tremendous” Aaronson and other players that left on loan. Many believed that Leeds would jump at the chance to cash in on those that left the club.
Why Aaronson could be staying at Leeds after Farke talks
There are a few reasons that will have lead to this decision. The first, being on the pitch and that Farke has lacked a proper no.10 at Elland Road after moves failed last summer for Nadiem Amiri and Matt O’Riley.
But the bigger likelihood is that Aaronson’s stock is low. He is far below the standard of a £25m-rated player right now, and a sale would see Leeds make a massive loss even if clubs were keen on signing him.
The smart move would be to give Aaronson another chance when Leeds are lacking a 10, and allow his value to go back up under Farke. That is, if Aaronson can get over the bad feeling from fans towards him.