Max Aarons can elevate Leeds United game to new heights under Daniel Farke as transfer news emerges
Leeds United are closing in on the signing of Norwich City defender Max Aarons, and the England Under-21 international could certainly elevate Daniel Farke’s plan again, this time at Elland Road.
According to The Norwich Evening News (9 August), the Whites are in advanced talks with the Canaries to sign the full-back and are in pole position to seal his signature for a deal worth around £12m.
It is believed that discussions remain ongoing with a number of potential suitors that are interested in signing the right-back, who recently won the European Championship with England U-21s.
However, according to The Athletic journalist Phil Hay, Whites are hoping to finalise a deal for Farke’s former right-back at Norwich before they face off against Birmingham City at St Andrew’s on Saturday 12 August.
Daniel Farke is set to strengthen his defence considerably ahead of the Championship clash, with injuries ravaging his squad quickly. Liam Cooper is out for two months after being stretchered off against Cardiff, with Junior Firpo now also set to miss another four weeks in defence.
After losing Rasmus Kristensen to AS Roma on loan and Elland Road academy product Cody Drameh currently out injured, the Whites are desperate for a new right back with only veteran Luke Ayling to call upon.
Aarons was given his professional debut at Norwich under Farke, and the German will have no doubt personally requested this move given his connection with the defender at Carrow Road.
Just as Aarons elevated his progressive and proactive style through their three seasons together at Norwich City, the England Under-21 international could certainly provide the same impact at Elland Road.
Fresh from helping the England Under-21 to a European Championship triumph, Aarons may well have felt his development would be better served with a long-awaited Premier League move, so this is a stunning coup for the Whites and Farke if they can get this deal over the line.
During his 44 Championship starts last season, Carrow Road’s academy graduate, dubbed “outstanding” by former teammate Jon Newsome, established himself as David Wagner’s both third defensive and offensive best-performing player, showcasing why he is finally ready for a permanent Premier League berth elsewhere.
The 23-year-old made a total of 84 tackles last season which was more than any other member of his squad, via FBRef, alongside averaging 1.4 clearances per second-tier game, but he was also a threat going forward.
Aarons also ranked in the 99th percentile for progressive carries and successfully completed 75% of dribbles last term [SofaScore], highlighting his incredible dribbling qualities when taking on his marker and when making it into the opposition’s box or final third, he whipped an astonishing 102 crosses into the area which was the second-highest number in the squad.
With Farke hell-bent on improving his options in defence ahead of a major assault on the Championship title and promotion, the Aarons addition could finally establish and elevate his plans at Elland Road.
Incredible business.
In other Leeds United news, he Whites could complete their third signing this week according to Fabrizio Romano