Last summer, Max Aarons was a huge source of frustration for Leeds United supporters and the club itself when a deal for the right-back got down to the wire only to fall through.
Leeds believed they were pulling off somewhat of a coup to land the right-back from Norwich, forming a reunion between Aarons and manager Daniel Farke but at the last minute he chose to join Bournemouth.
Phil Hay reported that Leeds were confident they had secured a deal for Aarons, worth £12m. But that Bournemouth moved to sign him at the last minute and the pull of the Premier League got a deal done.
He has since been first choice for Bournemouth but in a surprise twist, it could now be Aarons that helps Leeds get a deal done for a new right-back target with The Whites battling five other clubs this summer.
Leeds want Sunderland defender but face hefty competition
Reports claim that Leeds are one of five clubs in the race to sign Sunderland’s 22-year-old defender Trai Hume, who has been described as “exceptional” by his Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill.
However, the competition is aplenty. Aston Villa, Napoli, Leicester and Bournemouth are also said to be looking at Hume but the chances are that Bournemouth are best-positioned right now to get Hume.
The Cherries have often dipped into The Championship for new signings. Just as Leeds, with Andoni Iraola’s side signing both Tyler Adams and Luis Sinisterra, while also wanting Crysencio Summerville.
Why right-back Aarons could help Leeds now sign Trai Hume
Aston Villa have Matty Cash and Ezri Konsa and while Cash is a target for Milan, you would imagine Hume would struggle to start for Unai Emery’s men. The same with Napoli given just how big a club they are.
At Leicester, possibly Hume has the chance to play Premier League football but Ricardo Pereira would be first choice above Hume, given his ability to play as an inverted full-back which fits Leicester perfectly.
Bournemouth are Leeds’ biggest rivals for Hume’s signature, but the presence of Aarons at The Vitality could tell Hume that again his game time might be limited and a move to Elland Road is his best choice.