Leeds United fans have long been divided over Brenden Aaronson. Following promotion to the Premier League, there is inevitable uncertainty over his future.
Brenden Aaronson is quickly becoming one of the longest-serving players in this current Leeds United first-team. Back in 2022, Leeds United signed Aaronson from Red Bull Salzburg in a £25m deal.
Aaronson featured 36 times in the 2022/23 Premier League season, scoring just once, then spending the following season out on loan with Union Berlin in the Bundesliga. The USMNT midfielder returned to Elland Road last summer.
He went on to score nine goals in 46 Championship appearances as Daniel Farke’s side won the Championship title. But Leeds United fans were often critical of Aaronson’s performances.
Whilst he scored nine goals, there were a lot of games where he failed to contribute all that much, and many have reservations about how well he’d fare in the Premier League next time round.
Photo by George Wood/Getty ImagesBrenden Aaronson looks set to stay at Leeds United
Earlier in the summer, it was revealed that Aaronson had interest from Germany. At the time, it was reported that Aaronson was considering his future at the club amid the chances of potentially returning to the Bundesliga, but speaking to Leeds United News now, transfer expert Graeme Bailey has revealed that Aaronson is happy to stay at Elland Road.
That’s despite Leeds United’s ongoing search for a new number 10, as Farke seemingly missed out on the likes of James McAtee, Gustavo Hamer, and Emi Buendia, who were all prime targets to replace Aaronson in that number 10 role.
Bailey explained: “Brenden Aaronson has had a good pre-season. There was talk he would look for a return to the Bundesliga but that did not come to pass and he is happy at Elland Road. To be fair, Daniel Farke hasn’t really tried to move him. Leeds really want squad depth so even if we saw late moves for Manor Solomon and Emi Buendia or more, that doesn’t mean Aaronson would leave. Far from it.”
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It is clear looking at the current Leeds United options that a new number 10 is needed. Whilst Aaronson will provide good depth and the odd glimpse of quality, he’s not someone who’s going to score enough goals or create enough goals to keep Leeds United in the Premier League next season.
But options for Farke have rapidly run dry. Buendia has played himself back into contention at Aston Villa, McAtee is understood to be on his way to Nottingham Forest, whilst Hamer isn’t interested in moving to Leeds this summer.
But Leicester City’s Bilal El-Khannouss seems to be an emerging active target for Farke. The race to sign El-Khannouss from Leicester City is heating up with Newcastle United and Leeds among those interested as the Moroccan international, who has a £29m release clause at the King Power.
As time goes by, Farke may be forced into triggering that release clause to ensure that he has an extra body in that number 10 position which is going to be crucial in keeping Leeds United firing next season.
The Whites open their 2025/26 Premier League season at home to Everton on Monday.