How Leeds can sign the perfect Brenden Aaronson upgrade this summer

After avoiding an immediate return to the Championship last season, the message from Leeds United this summer is clear – add quality over quantity to the senior squad.

Daniel Farke has even spoken about the need for investment from the 49ers, claiming added reinforcements are needed to take the Whites to the next level.

They already appear to have answered his demands, subsequently completing the signings of Harry Wilson and Tarik Muharemovic ahead of the new Premier League campaign.

However, sales will also be needed to balance the books at Elland Road, which could lead to one player being pushed towards the exit door in the coming months.

Why Leeds should sell Brenden Aaronson this summer

After promotion back to the Premier League, Leeds boss Farke decided to stick with Brenden Aaronson as the club’s most recognised number ten – subsequently featuring in all but one league game.

The USA international appeared to be a key member of the German’s squad, even managing to register four goals and five assists – pretty decent numbers on the face of it.

However, the hierarchy should be looking to offload the 25-year-old this window, but would such a sale be harsh or the right decision?

Despite his goal contributions, Aaronson’s underlying figures showcase his struggles, with the attacker only managing to complete an average of 19 passes per 90 last term.

Such a figure ranked him in the bottom 25% of players in England’s top-flight – highlighting his lack of creativity in the number 10 position, which is arguably the most crucial asset for a player in his role.

His lack of quality without the ball was further evident in his chance creation tally, with the 25-year-old only able to lay on 1.1 opportunities for his teammates per 90.

Just like his pass completion tally, he ranked lowly compared to other attackers in the division, as 70% of players in his position managed to create more chances per 90.

Aaronson’s frame also came into question as he was easily pushed off the ball and dispossessed 2.7 times per 90 – a figure higher than 93% of players in the Premier League in 2025/26.

How Leeds can land a bigger talent than Aaronson

The American international has constantly been a player who has divided opinion during his time at Elland Road – leading to many questioning his long-term future at the club.

However, Farke’s comments about injecting needed quality into the side could see the midfielder lose his place and potentially be sold to try and recoup some of the £25m paid for his signature in 2022.

Such a decision would increase the need for a new number ten in Yorkshire this summer – which could see efforts stepped up to sign free agent Julian Brandt.

It’s been reported by the I Paper that Leeds have been in continued talks with the representatives of the former German international over the possibility of a move to Elland Road.

Ben Jacobs added that talks have even been held in person to try and secure a move for the 30-year-old, leading to Farke’s men even presenting an offer to land the recently departed Borussia Dortmund star.

The attacking midfielder has spent the last seven years on the books of German giants – subsequently amassing a lorryload of top-flight and European experience.

Such quality could massively improve Farke’s ranks and spell the end for Aaronson, with Brandt’s stats from last season highlighting why he’s a class above the current Whites attacker.

Despite his release from the Bundesliga outfit, the attacking midfielder completed nearly two times more successful passes per game whilst blowing Aaronson’s chance creation tally out of the water.

He laid on 1.8 chances for his teammates per 90, subsequently bettering the American, whilst ranking in the top 25% of other number tens in Germany’s top division.

Brandt also managed to achieve a better dribble success rate last term – backing up former coach Dirk Kunert’s statement that he’s “extraordinary” with the ball at his feet.

His quality in possession saw him be dispossessed just 1.02 times per 90, whilst ranking in the top 25% of attackers for crosses completed – showcasing his excellent dead-ball ability.

The German’s tally of 11 combined goals and assists further proves his added quality in attacking areas compared to Aaronson – subsequently achieving a higher figure despite featuring for fewer minutes.

Players like the 30-year-old don’t come around very often – especially on a free transfer – with Leeds’ hierarchy desperately needing to work tirelessly to secure his services.

His top-level experience makes him the perfect fit for the current recruitment strategy of adding needed quality over quantity in key areas of the squad.

Such a move could be devastating for Aaronson and his hopes of remaining at Elland Road, with the American at huge risk of being offloaded if a deal can be reached with Brandt’s team.