With Sam Byram out of contract and Junior Firpo set to join Real Betis, Jayden Bogle is the only full-back Leeds United utilised regularly last season.
Isaac Schmidt seldom featured and occasionally was played on the wing rather than as an attacking full-back. It leaves the 49ers and Daniel Farke short of options in that department.
It was said that once the Rangers takeover was complete, Paraag Marathe would be less hands-on at Leeds but his Rangers team have identified Max Aarons as a summer target.
Max Aarons closes in on Rangers loan despite interest from Leeds
The 49ers’ new project with Rangers appears to be interfering with Leeds’ transfer plans somewhat. That’s because a full-back Leeds are said to be weighing up is Bournemouth’s Aarons.
Aarons has confirmed he will leave Bournemouth recently following a loan spell for Aarons with Carlos Corberan’s Valencia. He has been a long-term target for Leeds in recent seasons as well.
Aarons could have joined Leeds over Bogle in the summer, but chose a move to the Cherries instead. Farke had then tried to lure Aarons to Leeds to reunite in West Yorkshire after the Norwich academy product excelled under his tutelage.
Aarons was said to be on his way to Leeds to complete a deal, only for Bournemouth to hijack a move at the last minute while he was inside Thorp Arch awaiting a medical.
Following his move to Bournemouth, Aarons even apologised to his old manager Farke. But a move could have been revived this summer to give Leeds greater full-back depth.
In recent days, Paraag Marathe’s Rangers have eyed Aarons over Leeds. Now, it appears as though Rangers have won the race — according to Sky Sports’ Mark McAdam.
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A straight loan has been agreed for the former Norwich man to play under Norwich legend Russell Martin. There is no obligation for the Scottish giants to sign the right-back.
Leeds will have to look elsewhere instead. Konstantinos Tsimikas has been one linked left-back target, while Hugo Bueno, Ben Davies and Aarons have all been mentioned, too.
How many full-backs do Leeds need to sign this summer?
Last summer, Graeme Bailey told Leeds United News that Bournemouth wanted north of £15 million for Aarons. But that figure has not only reduced but become a loan without any buy option or obligation following his lack of games.
Aarons is versatile, given his left-back berth for England’s U-21 team for many years. He can feature on either the right or left side of a back four as a full-back, albeit Bogle’s presence makes an addition like Aarons make less sense.
Losing Byram’s versatility is the kicker for Leeds, and unless Farke intends to find more minutes for Schmidt, Leeds are likely to require at least two new full-backs this summer.
It’s important to also have a mix of profiles in those roles. Bogle and Schmidt are attack-minded, and perhaps at least one defensive full-back and one two-way full-back is the requirement for Leeds this summer.
