One of Victor Orta’s loan army has been confirmed as returning to Leeds United after a season on loan in the Bundesliga, and Jon Newsome says he’s hardly worth anything at all now.
The loan clause allowed players to exit on loan, Leeds unable to stop them. Eight went; Robin Koch, Diego Llorente, Marc Roca, Max Wober, Jack Harrison, Luis Sinisterra, Brenden Aaronson and Rasmus Kristensen.
Koch and Sinisterra have since completed permanent moves to Frankfurt and Bournemouth. But Sunday’s result could now mean that the players with the clause may be allowed to go on loan again this summer.
There have been a number of reports suggesting as much, though Leeds are confident of the permanent sales of Roca, Wober, Llorente and Harrison. All of which have had an impact at their loan clubs this term.
For Aaronson, it has been a difficult season and while he has improved in the second half of 2023-24 at Union Berlin, the USA star only managed two goals and two assists in 38 games for the Bundesliga outfit.
He did lay on an assist in Union’s final game of the season, a 2-1 injury-time win that saw Union survive relegation. But, Union have confirmed his return and Jon Newsome has commented on the 23-year-old.
Jon Newsome says Brenden Aaronson is now pretty worthless
Aaronson was Jesse Marsch’s first signing, reuniting with the playmaker he had at Salzburg. But in 40 games during 2022-23, he managed one goal and three assists with his physicality often questioned.
Costing £25m, reports claim The 49ers are willing to take a £15m hit on Aaronson just to rake in £10m for his services. But Newsome says Leeds might even struggle to get that, in his analysis on BBC Radio Leeds.
“The American, Brenden Aaronson, he has gone to Germany and had an absolute stinker. What is he going to be worth? Two bob and a conker,” Newsome said, following the play-off final loss at Wembley.
The current situation of Leeds United’s other loan players
Roca is set to return from Real Betis after losing his place in the La Liga outfit’s side. The same goes for Kristensen after an indifferent season at Roma, in which he wasn’t included in their Europa League squad.
Roma are unlikely to pay the £4.3m required to sign Llorente, and Gladbach are unwilling to meet Leeds’ asking price of £14.5m for Wober. Everton are planning talks for Harrison, but are financially constricted.
Aaronson has been confirmed as returning. For those out on loan without Orta’s clause, Luke Ayling is set to complete a move to Middlesbrough and Ian Poveda is likely to join Sheffield Wednesday permanently.
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