Brenden Aaronson is one of the handful of Leeds United players who could be left behind ahead of the club’s return to the Premier League. And his replacement now seems obvious.
Brenden Aaronson has certainly been a useful player for Leeds United since his 2022 arrival from Red Bull Salzburg. But he’s certainly been a quite underwhelming one at times too, with his performances last season garnering a lot of criticism.
Going into this season, Leeds United have been urged to upgrade Aaronson ahead of the club’s return to the top flight, and it’s looking more and more likely that Daniel Farke is going to do just that.
It’s understood that Aaronson could even leave Leeds United this summer with interest emerging from the continent, and the high chance that he ends up playing a backup role for the Whites next season.
And now, one of his rumoured replacements looks to be on his way to Nottingham Forest, leaving a certain Gustavo Hamer in the spotlight.
Close up image of James McAtee in action for Manchester City.
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What James McAtee’s potential £25million transfer means for Leeds United
One player who Farke likes is James McAtee. Leeds United are interested in signing McAtee from Man City this summer, but the England U21s man has strong interest from Germany and from elsewhere in the Premier League. In fact, Daily Mail are now reporting that Nottingham Forest are ready to table a £25million bid for McAtee.
What’s more alarming is that Leeds aren’t even being mentioned alongside McAtee: not in the report from the Daily Mail, nor in recent reports linking Crystal Palace with the 22-year-old, potentially suggesting that Leeds are no longer realistically in the running to sign McAtee this summer.
Instead, all signs are pointing towards one of Hamer and Emi Buendia. More so Hamer, though, as recent revelations suggest.
Gustavo Hamer in action for Sheffield United against Hull City.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
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Why Gustavo Hamer is the no.1 candidate to replace Brenden Aaronson
It’s almost a certainty that Aaronson will be upgraded this summer. And now with McAtee seemingly out of the running, it leaves Buendia and Hamer in the clear.
Reports have already revealed how Leeds United will sign Buendia or Hamer this summer. But the more time that goes by, the more Buendia seems like a distant transfer target.
His links to Elland Road go hot and cold whilst Hamer’s persists. What’s more is that Hamer wants to move to the Premier League this summer after his Sheffield United side lost the Championship play-off final, whereas Buendia didn’t want to join Leeds last January, albeit when they were in the Championship.
Hamer is available for just £6.8million this summer, too, whereas Villa will command up to £20million for Buendia. And speaking recently, Blades boss Ruben Selles didn’t rule out Hamer leaving this summer.
So it seems clear that Hamer is the front-runner to come in and fill that no.10 slot for Leeds United. Now it’s just down to Farke and co to sort out the details of a potential move.