Explained: What ‘disaster’ year for USMNT star Brenden Aaronson means in January & summer transfer windows of 2024 as Leeds return is speculated on

The 23-year-old arrived at Elland Road in 2022 amid much fanfare, with there considered to be plenty of potential in his game to be unlocked. He had graced the Champions League at Red Bull Salzburg, but slipped out of favour at Leeds as they tumbled towards relegation out of the Premier League.

Aaronson finds himself at the wrong end of the table again after joining Bundesliga side Union Berlin on a season-long loan, with there talk of that deal being ripped up. Daniel Farke is said to be open to the idea of the USMNT star returning to Leeds, while another transfer could be completed in the summer of 2024.

According to Dean Jones for GiveMeSport: “It has to be said that 2023 has been an absolute disaster for Brenden Aaronson. He was so full of hope when he joined Leeds but had a bad time this calendar year and was completely left out by Sam Allardyce. Leeds were relegated, and his Premier League dream ended, then he was loaned out to Union Berlin, and that move has been rubbish as well, as he’s got no goals or assists. And now he is in talks about possibly going back to Leeds. I think the discussions are going to have to be very frank between him and Farke to try and understand each other and what they want and need from this. And if they can’t find some middle ground on how they can work together, then I imagine we’ll see him contemplating a move to another club in 2024 because he is in desperate need of a pick-me-up that gets his career back on track.”

Aaronson took in 40 appearances for Leeds last season, having joined them for £25 million ($32m), but registered just one goal. He has not started a game for Union Berlin since October 28 and may have to return to England and aid Leeds’ Championship promotion push in a bid to get his domestic career back on track – with a big 2024 approaching for the USMNT in CONCACAF Nations League and Copa America competition.