Full-back is one of three positions Leeds United are keen to address in the last seven days of the transfer market.
While all the focus has been on who will be coming into strengthen Leeds in midfield and the final third, it cannot be understated how important it is to find another solid option at the back.
Jayden Bogle and Junior Firpo are both very much first choice right now but both have a history of injury problems. The latter, of course, missed almost the entire first half of the 2023/24 campaign.
Sam Byram – Leeds’ only backup to Bogle and Firpo – is another one who is injury prone and so anyone who comes in simply has to be good enough to fill straight in.
Links to Wolves’ Hugo Bueno would suggest Leeds are looking at a left-back, though Byram’s ability to cover both sides mean it does not really matter what side the new signing prefers playing on.
Leeds plotting move for Bournemouth’s Max Aarons
Daniel Farke admitted after the draw at West Brom that Jayden Bogle has not had an easy start to life at Leeds, but as a £5 million signing, he won’t be getting dropped anytime soon.
Bogle remains a top player at this level and has shown signs in both games of what he can offer in the final third, and just needs some time to settle.
However, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke, Leeds are ‘readying a move’ for a player who could provide Bogle with some real competition in his position.
O’Rourke has written on his Twitter account that Leeds now want to sign Max Aarons on loan from Bournemouth, where he has fallen down in the pecking order.
Long-serving Adam Smith is now ahead of him, while Julian Araujo has just come in from Barcelona, meaning Aarons is now third choice.
Southampton saw a permanent bid turned down earlier in the window but after Araujo’s arrival he could now be available, with Leeds eyeing a loan.
Leeds were hours away from signing Aarons
Aarons was on Leeds’ list of targets last summer too and literally came within hours of signing him until Bournemouth swooped in.
Leeds agreed a £12 million fee with Norwich City and so Aarons even made the journey to Elland Road to undergo a medical, but instead opted for a move to the Premier League at the 11th hour.
Aarons is, of course, very well known to Daniel Farke having enjoyed the best period of his career under his management at Norwich.
The chance to get his career back on track working under Farke again could well be tempting, if Leeds do indeed firm up their interest.
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