Brenden Aaronson may be Leeds United replacement for Liverpool-linked Raphinha
Leeds United could see Red Bull Salzburg midfielder Brenden Aaronson as a “logical replacement” for Raphinha, according to Forbes.
The Athletic reported on Tuesday night [18 January] that Leeds have seen a £15million bid for Aaronson, 21, rejected by Salzburg.
The Daily Mail has since reported that Leeds are ready to make a second bid for the USA attacking midfielder and Forbes feel as though he could be seen as a successor to Raphinha in Marcelo Bielsa’s attack.
Really?
Firstly, we don’t think that Aaronson and Raphinha play in the same position.
According to transfermarkt, Aaronson plays mainly as a central attacking midfielder while he can also be deployed in the centre of the park.
He’s not a right-winger like Raphinha, although the Brazilian can sometimes play on the inside too.
But, there’s a chance that if Aaronson is a replacement for Liverpool-linked Raphinha [Liverpool Echo], it could mean that Bielsa will then have an attacking midfield trio of Daniel James, Aaronson and Jack Harrison.
With that, there’s balance but the idea of losing Raphinha is pretty much unthinkable and we really do not want to see.
As for Aaronson, he’s been in great form in Austria this season.
He’s scored three goals and supplied seven assists in 26 appearances in all competitions and also played a major role in Salzburg qualifying for the last-16 of the Champions League.
Leeds need someone who can add some attacking flair and creativity in the middle of the park.
Aaronson seems ideal.
In other Leeds United news, a pundit is baffled by a Leeds player reportedly telling Bielsa he wants to leave.