Leeds United transfer news: Permanent option update emerges as Brenden Aaronson to Union Berlin ‘confirmed’ – Florian Plettenberg
There will be no permanent option in the deal which is set to imminently send Brenden Aaronson from Leeds United to Union Berlin, Florian Plettenberg reports for Sky Sports in Germany.
The loan departure for the USMNT international had been on the cards since it emerged that he had a clause allowing him to leave in that manner following relegation [Daily Mail, 26 June], with just the destination to be decided.
After Fulham dropped out of the race [Mirror, 2 July] it is the Bundesliga side who have come out on top with Aaronson set for a return to the Champions League next season, but it appears he could be back at Elland Road next summer.
Sky Sports Germany journalist Plettenberg reported via Twitter on Monday (3 July): “Yes, Brenden Aaronson is on verge to join Union Berlin, confirmed.
“Details: One year loan without an option to buy. No medical yet. Last paperwork’s have to be finalized.”
Positive?
Given how the 22-year-old flattered to deceive for long periods of his first season in England it might have been preferable at Elland Road for his exit this summer to bring in some decent money.
It would be somewhat of a turn-up if he featured for the Whites in future, and is likely impossible unless they are promoted at the first attempt.
That has perhaps just become more likely with the news that Daniel Farke has arrived in England to sign his contract as the new manager though, having won the second tier twice with Norwich.
But even in that eventuality the lack of a permanent option is probably geared more towards the hope of getting a more sizeable fee next summer as a Premier League club, rather than negotiating from a point of weakness after relegation.
Having cost almost £25million from Red Bull Salzburg last summer [Sky Sports] Leeds United would currently be in line to take a hefty hit on that figure, and while he wasn’t an outright disaster at Elland Road over the past year he certainly seems to be landing on his feet back in the Champions League.
Having been a success in Austria as Salzburg made a run through the competition two seasons ago he will look to recapture that form in Germany, with both player and club likely hoping to create a strong market for a sale next year.
In other Leeds United news, another exit has been “confirmed” amid an exodus of loan departures from Elland Road.