According to transfer insider Dean Jones, Leeds United may see the return of Brenden Aaronson to their squad if they make it back to the Premier League next season, following a significant development. Aaronson, the United States international, was one of the high-profile departures during the summer transfer window, with Leeds earning approximately £27 million from player sales. However, despite a considerable player turnover, head coach Daniel Farke remains focused on securing promotion from the Championship.
Leeds’ inability to stay in the Premier League after a loss to Tottenham Hotspur on the final day of the previous season made it almost certain that Aaronson would seek a new challenge. According to The Athletic, a relegation release clause was included in his contract when he joined less than a year earlier.
The creative midfielder made a £25 million move from Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg to Yorkshire last summer, reuniting with then-Whites manager Jesse Marsch. However, he quickly negotiated a move elsewhere as it became clear that he had no interest in playing in the second tier.
Aaronson joined Bundesliga side Union Berlin on a season-long loan, which permits him to compete in the Champions League and offers the possibility of a permanent transfer.
Fulham was also interested in taking advantage of the 22-year-old’s relegation release clause by offering him a Premier League loan opportunity, but he opted for continental football with Urs Fischer’s side.
Jones expressed his belief that Aaronson’s decision to leave Leeds for the entirety of the 2023/24 campaign would make it challenging to resurrect his career with the Whites, labeling his move to Yorkshire as a mistake.
Despite his time at Union Berlin, Jones understands that Aaronson still aspires to prove himself in the Premier League. If Leeds secures a return to the top flight and Union Berlin does not exercise the option to make his loan permanent, it is likely that Aaronson would be interested in rejoining Leeds.
| Leeds United summer departures | Fee |
|---|---|
| Tyler Roberts – Birmingham | Undisclosed |
| Rodrigo – Al Rayyan | Undisclosed |
| Ben Andreucci – Bolton | Free |
| Owen Bray – Barrow | Free |
| Alfie McCalmont – Carlisle | Free |
| Brenden Aaronson – Union Berlin | Loan |
| Robin Koch – Frankfurt | Loan |
| Rasmus Kristensen – Roma | Loan |
| Diego Llorente – Real Betis | Loan |
| Max Wober – Borussia Monchengladbach | Loan |
| Jack Harrison – Everton | Loan |
| Tyler Adams – Bournemouth | £24m |
| Adam Forshaw – Norwich | Free |
| Sonny Perkins – Oxford | Loan |
| Cody Drameh – Birmingham | Loan |
Jones also suggests that Farke, the German coach, may have little choice but to give Aaronson a chance to rebuild his relationship with Leeds’ fans.
Regarding Aaronson’s impact at Leeds, he signed a £45,000-per-week contract when he joined from Salzburg last year, but he struggled to make a significant impact. Aaronson scored only once and provided three assists in 40 appearances. Considering his £25 million transfer fee and £2.34 million annual salary, each goal contribution cost the club approximately £6.835 million before his loan departure.