Leeds United’s search of a new left-back has been boosted by Leicester City’s decision to withdraw from the competition for the player in question this summer. Leeds have been in need of a left-back for quite some time. Junior Firpo is currently first choice, and while he impressed in the second part of the season, the left-back is far from the long-term answer at Elland Road.
Firpo is known for being prone to injuries and rash in defense, and considering that the 49ers need to move players this summer, his future may come under scrutiny as well. This means Leeds will need another left-back. According to recent reports, Leeds and Leicester City were both interested in the same player, who has been flourishing in the Netherlands with Eredivisie side PEC Zwolle despite winning Ireland Under-21 caps. According to rumors from the Netherlands, Leeds has got a boost in its quest of a “versatile” player.
Leeds gets a boost in the race to sign Anselmo Garcia MacNulty. The two-time Ireland Under-21 star has had a fantastic season in the Eredivisie, having joined Zwolle from Wolfsburg last summer. He has made 32 appearances and scored four goals from the left flank. A recent report from Voetbal International confirms that Leeds are still interested in signing MacNulty in the coming weeks, although Leicester have made a decision on the Irishman after earning promotion.
The Foxes have decided to suspend their interest in the left-back because they believe they can bring in a higher class and quality player after winning the Premier League and the Championship. Leeds need a left back ever since keeping Sam Byram. It was somewhat surprising that Leeds had decided to keep Byram and offer the versatile ace a new contract until the summer of 2025. Byram has been a smart signing, but he has a history of injuries. Despite this, Byram has made 37 appearances for Leeds in 2023-24. Enough to persuade the Whites to give him a new contract, and he will provide coverage on both sides of the defense next season.
That should not prevent Leeds from signing a new left-back and finding a long-term solution to the problem, which has persisted since Charlie Taylor’s departure in 2017. MacNulty has the age and potential to be the solution. Leeds United are bracing for a rocky summer of ups and downs, with the first sign of trouble appearing to be playmaker Brenden Aaronson. The 23-year-old struggled in his debut season at Leeds after becoming Jesse Marsch’s first signing for a whopping £25 million from Salzburg. Aaronson and Marsch were reunited in this transfer, but it did not work out.
Aaronson, who was frequently chastised by Leeds supporters for his lack of aggressiveness, only scored once in 40 games for the club. He jumped ship at the earliest opportunity, utilizing Victor Orta’s relegation loan clause in 2023. He joined Bundesliga team Union Berlin, which had qualified for the Champions League. The eight players who exploited the loan clause were hated by the club’s supporters and left at the first opportunity. Rather than addressing their role in the club’s relegation to the Championship. Aaronson struggled in the early half of the season, but improved significantly in the second half as Union avoided relegation.
Leeds made a surprise decision to appoint Brenden Aaronson following conversations with Farke. Union secured a triumph on the final day by scoring an extra-time winner against Freiburg. Aaronson assisted on Union’s first goal, but it was shortly revealed that he would not be staying at Union. Graham Smyth has reported on the Yorkshire Evening Post’s website that Aaronson and Farke have spoken. Following those conversations, Farke and Leeds decided to keep Aaronson for the 2024-24 season.
Given the popular backlash to the “tremendous” Aaronson and other loanees, this move was unexpected. Many anticipated Leeds would seize the opportunity to cash in on individuals who had departed the club. Why Aaronson could stay in Leeds following Farke talks There are several factors that will have contributed to this decision. The first is on the pitch, and Farke has been without a suitable No.10 at Elland Road since Nadiem Amiri and Matt O’Riley’s signings fell through last summer. But the most likely scenario is that Aaronson’s stock is low. He is currently much below the standard of a £25 million-rated player, and selling him would result in a big loss for Leeds, even if clubs were interested in signing him.
The wise decision would be to give Aaronson another chance when Leeds lack a ten, allowing his worth to rise under Farke. That is, assuming Aaronson can overcome the negative feelings supporters have towards him.
