Bournemouth agree £7m fee for Max Aarons in dramatic hijack of Leeds United deal with Norwich City
Bournemouth "are signing" Max Aarons after they "swooped" for the Norwich defender when he appeared set for Leeds United, according to Alex Crook.
The talkSPORT journalist reported via Twitter on Wednesday (9 August) that a £7million fee has been agreed for the full-back to head to the Premier League side when it "looked like he was on his way to" the Whites.
Daniel Farke was aiming to bring in his former Carrow Road charge and Fabrizio Romano had even reported earlier in the day that Leeds were "confident" of getting a deal done as it headed into the "final stages", but the Cherries have now hijacked.
The Norwich Evening News had reported on Wednesday morning that the deal to bring Aarons, 23, to Elland Road was set to be worth up to £12m.
Nightmare
While the importance of spending significant money on a right-back when there appears to be other priorities can be questioned clearly Farke wanted this move.
So to get so close only to see the deal collapse for a Premier League club will be hugely frustrating for the German as he looks to navigate a situation that has him contending with potential exits before the deadline and extensive injuries.
Another former Norwich man who can play at either full-back position has already been signed in Sam Byram, but the returning Whites player has a miserable fitness record and may not be available at all times.
With Cody Drameh nominally in line to take over from Luke Ayling on the right when he is back from injury it may not be such a huge blow to miss out on Aarons unless Farke had him in mind for the left.
Junior Firpo is out and expected to leave and Leo Hjelde was replaced at half time on Sunday (6 August) against Cardiff City, so that side is a big priority.
But either way Bournemouth have sent the Whites hierarchy back to the drawing board after what cannot be dressed up as anything but a significant blow to their transfer ambitions.