A long-term stay with Leeds United looks very unlikely for American midfielder Brenden Aaronson, but one of his former managers doesn’t expect him to wait long for a move elsewhere.
Jesse Marsch believes that Aaronson will be on the radar of several European clubs for a potential transfer away from Elland Road this summer. Aaronson is currently in the final two weeks of his loan spell at Bundesliga club Union Berlin, as he tries to help the side remain in the top flight.
After a tough start to life in Germany, Aaronson has featured more regularly during the second half of the season. The 23-year-old has made 36 combined appearances for Union Berlin, starting in eight matches in 2024 while also adding two goals and one assist.
Speaking on the “Call It What You Want” podcast for CBS Sports, Marsch praised Aaronson for his on-field abilities and his determination to continue improving as a pro player.
“There will be plenty of suitors around Europe,” Marsch said. “One thing we know is he needs to get back to playing regular minutes. In the second half of the season, he established himself more, played a little bit more and had some better performances in general. He’s such a great kid. He’s a really quality player.
“He will always do everything he can for the team, I just want to see him excel, I want to see him go somewhere where it feeds into the type of football that he can play, where he can be rewarded,” Marsch added. “I think he’ll find that. I’m not sure where that will be, but I think he’ll find that.”
Aaronson’s up-and-down club form hasn’t hampered his USMNT status in 2024 as the former Philadelphia Union homegrown lifted the CONCACAF Nations League title last March. He featured in both matches against Jamaica and Mexico, earning his second international trophy and first since 2020.
A strong end to the Bundesliga campaign will certainly boost the growing stock in Aaronson abroad, especially if he helps keep Union Berlin from a drop back into the second tier.
Jesse doing what he does best. Politicking/trying to cover his ass. Blaming USSF, trying to undercut GB, trying to protect an average player who failed under his watch who they way overpaid for.
He learned a lot in Europe. It‘s not just snake oil selling Germans who do it here anymore.
Of course he will attract the stupidest and angriest of audiences. That‘s what these guys do.
I’m not sure if Jesse will be right about Brenden having plenty of suitors. He seems to have landed in that spot of solid but unspectacular player on a mid to lower table team in a top 5 league, maybe what they call a squad player. Someone who can be very easily replaced.
As always with player transactions, it all comes down to money. In this case, the number of suitors will be directly related to how much Leeds will be asking. The higher the transfer fee, the fewer suitors there will be. If Leeds are looking to recover all, or most, of what they paid for him, I doubt there will be many teams that are interested.
When you speak of a solid, but unspectacular player, that makes me think of James Milner who had a very long career in the EPL and on the England National team. Personally, I think Aronson is more skilled than Milner and plays with more verve. I don’t think those type of players are that easily replaced. Those are kind of glue guys and you know what you will consistently get and you know he will also give all he can for the team. I wouldn’t have written this 2 years ago, but he has improved considerably, IMO.
“Personally, I think Aronson is more skilled than Milner and plays with more verve.”
There’s no comparison.
Milner played 871 games in the Premiership. That’s his entire career except for 6 games on loan at Swindon Town. He has three EPL title medals, one Champions League medal, two FA Cup medals, all while being a significant contributor. That is more medals than Brenden. There’s a reason for all that. He made his teams better.
I’ve seen Milner play a fair amount and Brenden is not more skilled. He runs a round a lot more but he’s not more skilled. As for verve, enthusiasm is great but it does not necessarily win you anything.
Since he went to Leeds nearly two years ago, Brenden has been garbage. To be precise he’s off by just a beat or two. It’s not much but at this level, it’s all the difference in the world.
I hear he’s getting better at Union B. now that the new manager has come in. Good for him. He should stay there if they want him but that 30 million is going to be a contractual challenge for him going forward.
Right now Brenden is beer at champagne prices.
Gregg will take him to Copa but not on straight merit.
He doesn’t to me favor Milner at all beyond maybe work rate. And in that category tbh he reminds me more of Stephen Hunt. Good energy and work rate. Milners definitely a different class of player. Having said that, I really like Aaronson and agree it’d be nice to see him rewarded for his work and verve.
He’s a fair player but needs to just get into those spaces better for direct contributions and funny and it may sound, sometimes be more selfish and better with service. Find a better niche. I really think a league like the Netherlands or Belgium might have been a better step for him before thr Bundesliga or Premiership. Let alone a LA Liga or Serie A.
Yeah, it struck me as funny-stupid when the regularly bitter and irrational Leeds fans were celebrating his struggles. The absolute best thing for everyone involved would have been Aaronson lighting it up on loan. The way over market value price Jesse / Leeds paid for him and a long run of poor form didn’t do him any favors- really limits his and Leeds options. It’s unlikely Leeds want him back, so not sure what else they can do but take a big hit, cut their losses and move on. Brendons options all hinge on the extent of their willingness to do that.