Leeds United transfer news: Fulham fail to trigger Brenden Aaronson release clause as loan approach made
Fulham have made an approach to Leeds United over a loan move for Brenden Aaronson, according to the Daily Mail.
The American is widely expected to be one of the first-team players who leaves Elland Road this summer following relegation, with The Athletic reporting on 29 May that he has a release clause in his contract which “sources” expect to be triggered.
However, the latest report suggests the Cottagers have failed to meet the conditions in order to do so as yet, and that the former £24.7million signing from Red Bull Salzburg’s clause in fact relates to a loan departure.
Newcastle have also been credited with an interest in the 22-year-old alongside his USMNT captain Tyler Adams.
Fulham reportedly want Aaronson for the number 10 role at Craven Cottage, according to the Mail, with Marco Silva “keen to land a bargain signing”.
Matter of time
Aaronson started life at Leeds United pretty strongly as the season got off to a flyer but he soon faded along with the team and ultimately proved to be a disappointment after a big fee and months of pursuit.
Given he is far from the most physical player he is unlikely to be one any new Whites manager would be banking on for the Championship so a move surely will materialise in the coming weeks.
If Fulham haven’t managed to meet the conditions to trigger a loan move then it may relate to a potential permanent deal at the end of it.
It is unlikely that Leeds would manage to recoup the full value of their investment last summer even if they were trying to move him on having stayed up so a reduced price is probably likely.
A loan exit in the current circumstances surely requires a Premier League side to cover 100% of his wages, and likely commit to a fee at the end of it.
But failing to trigger the exit clause for a loan deal suggests Fulham really were hoping to get a bargain, although any Premier League side who are looking to fill their number 10 role will know they don’t come especially cheap so a second, improved approach is possibly on the cards.
It never quite worked out at Elland Road after the club finally landed Aaronson from Austria, but amid the chaos that engulfed the club the conditions weren’t great so he may prove more successful elsewhere.
In other Leeds United news, Manchester United are after a “surprise” option from West Yorkshire if two big-money moves fall through.