Leeds United have already made two key additions to their first team since the summer transfer window opened.
Tarik Muharemovic recently joined in a £34m deal from Serie A side Sassuolo as a direct replacement for Pascal Struijk at left midfield.
Harry Wilson also arrived as a free signing to strengthen Daniel Farke’s options on the wing, after scoring ten goals and providing seven assists in the Premier League last season.
Their summer business isn’t done there, however, as the 49ers must also look to replace Brenden Aaronson as the starter before next season.
Why Leeds need to replace Brenden Aaronson
The USA international exceeded expectations in the Premier League last season registering four goals and five assists in the top flight, but there were low hopes after he scored just one goal in the 2022/23 campaign in his last year in the top flight.
Aaronson scored four goals at 4.55 xG and tallied five assists at 3.63 xA for the Whites last term, with both of his goals coming in the same game against Newcastle United in January at St. James’ Park.
The American forward came into this season on the back of a return of nine goals and two assists in 46 games for a dominant Leeds side that picked up 100 points in the Championship.
His consistency in the second tier for the Whites meant it was no surprise when Aaronson struggled to find form towards the end of the Premier League season.
|
Aaronson’s last 10 PL games |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Objection |
Goals |
It helps |
|
West Ham |
0 |
0 |
|
Brighton |
0 |
0 |
|
The Spurs |
0 |
0 |
|
Burnley |
0 |
0 |
|
Bournemouth |
0 |
0 |
|
Wolves |
0 |
1 |
|
Man Utd |
0 |
1 |
|
Brentford |
0 |
0 |
|
Palace |
0 |
0 |
|
Sunderland |
0 |
0 |
The 25-year-old produced zero goals and two assists in his last 15 top-flight games, before failing to score or assist at the World Cup for his country this summer, which is why Leeds should look to replace him this summer.
Leeds are exploring a deal to develop Brenden Aaronson
Therefore, fans should be pleased to learn that the club is looking to add more quality to Farke’s options in place of Aaronson ahead of next season.
TEAMtalk are reporting that Leeds United are interested in a deal to sign Galatasaray midfielder Gabriel Sara in the summer transfer window.
A source says Farke has explored a possible move to bring the Brazilian back to England, two years after leaving former German club Norwich City.
Sara is not the only attacking midfielder on the club’s radar, however, as the report claims Genk’s Konstantinos Karetsas and Lyon’s Pavel Sulc are also options for the Whites.
The Brazilian midfielder, who was previously linked with a £25m fee, would be the club’s best signing if they could agree a deal with Galatasaray to snap him up this summer.
His arrival could spell the end of Aaronson’s time as a regular starter at Elland Road in the number ten role, as he has the ability to contribute more to the team at the other end of the pitch.
|
Sara (Super Lig) |
24/25 |
25/26 |
|---|---|---|
|
It starts |
27 |
21 |
|
xG |
3.86 |
2.48 |
|
Goals |
2 |
5 |
|
Key passes per game |
2.3 |
2.1 |
|
Great opportunities have been created |
12 |
9 |
|
xA |
7.62 |
6.41 |
|
It helps |
8 |
4 |
Over the past two Super Lig seasons, Sara has created more than twice as many chances per game as Aaronson managed in the Premier League last term, while also registering more xAs in both seasons.
It’s not just his time in Turkey that suggests he could contribute more than the USA international, however, as the 27-year-old magician also scored 13 goals and provided 12 assists in Norwich’s 2023/24 Championship season.
He scored four more goals and provided ten more assists for the Canaries that season than Aaronson managed in a Leeds side that won the league by 100 points, which speaks to the difference in quality between the two players.
As an American, Sara is also comfortable in different positions and can play in midfield, as a number ten, or from the right side.
The Brazilian, therefore, could be the perfect replacement for Aaronson, given his quality and versatility, which is why his arrival at Elland Road could be the beginning of the end for the former Salzburg man.
