Leeds United are expected to offload Brenden Aaronson this summer just two years after he moved to Elland Road, according to a report from Football Insider.
The Yorkshire outfit do not expect the American international, who is currently on loan at Bundesliga side Union Berlin, to play for the club again. Aaronson has made 20 appearances for the German team this season in the league, scoring on one occasion.
The report suggests that the Whites are willing to listen to offers this summer for the midfielder, who has a market value of £11.9 million, as per Transfermarkt. The 23-year-old was signed to the club in 2022 for £24.7 million under then-manager Jesse Marsch and made 41 appearances in all competitions.
Marsch spoke about the midfielder in December and suggested that he let him down during his tenure in charge, along with his fellow countryman Tyler Adams, who left the club last summer to join AFC Bournemouth.
“I felt bad. That I was letting them down, that I was abandoning them. Time has helped but that was my initial reaction.”
Aaronson has failed to become a regular starter during his time in Berlin so far, making the starting eleven just six times throughout the entire season. The team have failed to find the form that pushed them to the Champions League places last year, as they currently sit 14th in the table.
Leeds United, in comparison, are pushing towards the automatic promotion places under new manager Daniel Farke, sitting just two points behind Ipswich Town in second and five behind league leaders Leicester City. They face Stoke City at home in their next game.
Georginio Rutter, who has been playing in Aaronson’s favoured position, has been a revelation for the Whites, scoring seven goals and delivering twelve assists in the Championship.
Writer’s View
Aaronson is a talented young footballer and he showed that during his time with the Red Bull group over in Salzburg, but for some reason, that form and quality has not translated over since he joined Leeds or during his time in Germany so far.
Leeds United do not believe he changed those fortunes while playing for them, so a sale at this stage makes sense for all parties. The 23-year-old will get a chance to reinvent himself permanently at another club, and Farke’s side will get some funding to try and invest back into the squad. Whether that will be in the Premier League or the Championship remains to be seen.
