MASSIVE news for Leeds United summer Transfer after Player say yes to salary slash in other to make a permanent move to Elland Road… Player is willing to do anything to play for Leeds next season.
The journalist from the Yorkshire Evening Post, speaking on the Inside Elland Road podcast on June 13, disclosed that the American player’s return from his loan spell at Union Berlin will result in a reduced salary due to a relegation clause in his contract.
Aaronson, among many other Whites players, departed on loan a year ago, leveraging release clauses in their contracts in exchange for salary reductions. However, following an unsuccessful stint in the Bundesliga, he will now be competing in the Championship under Daniel Farke next season.
According to Smyth, the current market value for Aaronson is unlikely to reach £15 million, and perhaps not even £10 million, making it unwise to sell him at a loss, especially given Leeds United’s failure to secure promotion to the Premier League.
Moreover, Aaronson’s return indicates an acknowledgment from both player and club that the previous year did not unfold as anticipated, necessitating them to make the best of the situation.
The USMNT international appeared to believe he would find better opportunities in a European top flight than in the Championship, and Leeds United seemed to agree that his transfer value would increase if they allowed him to leave. However, neither scenario materialized.
With Leeds also falling short of their primary objective of returning to the Premier League, their best option now seems to be maximizing Aaronson’s performance on the field.
He will likely need to quickly win back the support of the fans, who may perceive the departures of players last year as abandoning a sinking ship.
However, Willy Gnonto’s successful return to the team after attempting to move to Everton suggests that redemption is possible under Farke’s management.
While there may not have been many alternatives, achieving success will require pragmatism from both the manager and the player. However, none of this will matter if Aaronson cannot adapt to the Championship better than he did to the Premier League.
He now has a second opportunity to impress with the club, and if he performs like Georginio Rutter did last season, it could yield positive results.