Despite making the perfect start to the 2026:27 campaign, Leeds United boss Daniel Farke is still desperately on the hunt for added reinforcements for his senior squad.
Back-to-back wins over fellow top-flight outfit Nottingham Forest have showcased how impressive the Whites have been – and handed the fanbase a reason to get excited about this season.
The attacking department is the area which is set to be bolstered before the window closes, with support needed for the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Harry Wilson.
However, any late addition could spell bad news for one senior player, who has constantly divided opinion over recent seasons at Elland Road.
Why Leeds need to replace Aaronson before the deadline
Over the last couple of seasons, attacking midfielder Brenden Aaronson has been brought back into the senior ranks by Farke, despite seemingly being certain to depart at one stage.
The American international helped the Whites secure promotion from the Championship, before cementing his place as a regular starter in the Premier League last term.
However, during such a period, the 25-year-old has constantly divided opinion within the fanbase in Yorkshire, leading to question marks over his long-term future at the club.
He has recently penned a new deal until the summer of 2029, but that’s not to say he should not be replaced as a regular starter within Farke’s squad this season.
His display against Nottingham Forest on the opening day of the season is an example of why the club should be looking to replace him – as he struggled to make a positive impact on proceedings.
Aaronson failed to create a single chance from his attacking role behind Calvert-Lewin, subsequently only completing two passes into the final third in the process.
|
Brenden Aaronson – stats against Forest (PL) |
|
|---|---|
|
Statistics |
Tally |
|
Minutes played |
82 |
|
Touches |
31 |
|
Pass accuracy |
73% |
|
Chances created |
0 |
|
Passes into final third |
2 |
|
Dribbled past |
2x |
|
Dispossessed |
3x |
|
Duels won |
44% |
He was also easily pushed off the ball by the opposition at the City Ground, as he only won 44% of his total duels and was dispossessed on three separate occasions.
How Leeds can land an elite-level Aaronson
With less than a week remaining in the summer transfer window, the Leeds hierarchy will have to work quickly if they are to secure any more reinforcements for Farke’s side.
The defensive department could even be bolstered, as Everton centre-back Jake O’Brien has recently been touted as a possible talent to improve the manager’s backline.
However, the club’s firm focus is on adding to the options in the final third, which has seen Chelsea outcast Mykhailo Mudryk once again appear on their radar.
Journalist Ben Jacobs spoke with FootballTransfers, claiming that Leeds are still in “active talks” as we approach the end of this week to secure the Ukrainian international on loan, despite already having an offer rejected.
He claims that Chelsea have different plans for the attacker this summer, but it hasn’t deterred Farke’s efforts to secure a temporary deal for the recently returned winger.
However, the player himself is said to be keen on staying in the Premier League this season and would be open to a temporary stint at Elland Road in 2026/27.
He may have missed the last 18 months after his temporary suspension, but there’s no denying Leeds would be landing a player who can inject serious quality into the ranks.
Mudryk, who cost £88m in January 2023, has already shown glimpses of his quality during the 2023/24 campaign – subsequently featuring 31 times for the Blues.
He registered seven combined goal contributions that season, but it’s his underlying stats which highlight why he’s an elite version of current Whites man, Aaronson.
The Ukrainian’s tally of 1.8 chances created that campaign is nearly two times higher than that of the American international from the most recent top-flight campaign.
Such figures, coupled with his phenomenal dribbling ability, saw him create carnage in attacking areas – with very few defenders able to step the 25-year-old when he found himself in full flow.
Mudryk completed 2.2 successful dribbles per 90 throughout the 2023/24 campaign, whilst also achieving a 56% take-on success rate – numbers which Aaronson was nowhere near last term.
The threat posed by the £97k-per-week Ukrainian in attacking areas is further evident by his increased fouls won per 90 tally – as the opposition often had to report to fouling him to prevent him getting to full speed.
It’s very rare that a player of his calibre comes available in the transfer window, with the Whites hierarchy needing to make full advantage and complete a deal before the deadline.
As for Aaronson, any deal for the Chelsea man would see him fall further down the pecking order – which could lead to reduced minutes for the attacker in Farke’s system.
