Brenden Aaronson transfer update emerges on Leeds United exit after return agreed
Brenden Aaronson would still prefer to leave Leeds United permanently this summer amid interest from Union Berlin, according to Berliner Kurier.
The German outlet reported on their website (5 July) that the American is wanted for a return to the Bungdesliga side after spending last season there on loan but the prospects of a deal currently look slim as they can’t afford him.
His market value has continued to “plummet” after the USMNT’s early exit from the Copa America this summer, following his Premier League relegation and a tough season in loan, but the Whites are said to want to recoup as much of the €33million [£27.9m] they spent to bring him in from Red Bull Salzburg as possible.
Union fans reportedly took to the 23-year-old during an improved second half of the campaign, but his high wages make a move difficult, and Robin Gosens or others must be sold for substantial fees to allow a deal to be done with Leeds United.
Graham Smyth of the Yorkshire Evening Post reported on 13 June that Aaronson had agreed to the reduced pay he was due following relegation a year ago to return to Farke’s squad this summer, following talks with the manager [YEP, 10 June].
Daniel Farke held Leeds United return talks with Union Berlin loanee
All things being equal Aaronson no doubt would choose to leave if possible since the situation hasn’t improved since he last made that decision a year ago.
Similarly the Whites would surely prefer to bank a decent fee for him and move on but an indifferent campaign in the Premier League was followed up by a campaign in the Bundesliga which didn’t generate the market that they would have hoped for.
Since there are said to be few other suitors for him and Union don’t look likely to come up with an offer that would convince the Elland Road hierarchy to accept both sides will have to compromise.
The performances of Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter, who have both been subject to big-money approaches from Brighton [BBC Sport, 2 July], has proven a strong Championship season can do plenty to generate transfer interest it would be in everyone’s interest for Aaronson to follow suit.
Archie Gray’s departure to Tottenham equally proves that there is plenty of focus on the second tier for players with the right talent, even if international consideration doesn’t necessarily follow.
Barring a significant change in the coming weeks it looks like the club and the player are set for a marriage of convenience for next season ahead of a potential parting further down the line.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites are set to see a well-respected player leave soon after Gray in another permanent departure.
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