Leeds United were extremely close to signing Max Aarons from Norwich City in August, only for the right-back to turn his back on a move and head to Bournemouth instead.
A harsh reality that Leeds had to face when preparing for this season is that players no longer wanted to join the club based on the league status.
Premier League pull is huge at the moment and when you’re in the Championship, it serves as a major disadvantage when trying to bring those players in.
Leeds looked to be on their way to wrapping up an ambitious signing under Daniel Farke back in August, with Max Aarons heading up to West Yorkshire from Norwich City in a deal worth a reported £7million (rising to £12m).
A medical was scheduled for the former Farke favourite to sign at Elland Road, before the right-back caught wind of interest from Bournemouth in the Premier League, swiftly turning his back on the man who gave him his senior debut and heading to the South Coast.
It sparked a fairly angry reaction from the Leeds fans, who had their fury channelled at the Cherries throughout the month, after Tyler Adams and Luis Sinisterra headed their, as well as long-term managerial target Andoni Iraola being appointed previously.
His move isn’t panning out in the way he expected so far, though, with Bournemouth winless in the Premier League thus far alongside Sheffield United, while Aarons is struggling at the back.
Bournemouth have the third worst defence in the league as things stand having conceded 18 in eight games, shipping seven in the last two against Arsenal and Everton.
WhoScored.com have now shared an XI of their lowest rated new signings across this season, where Aarons not only features, but is the lowest scorer of the loNt:
We can’t just base everything from stats, especially WhoScored ratings, but Aarons isn’t looking too great at Bournemouth.
In general, the Cherries look like they could be in the midst of a real relegation battle this season and Iraola is under big pressure.
Whether he can handle it remains to be seen, but he is going to need to pick up results soon or potentially face big questions.
As for Aarons, maybe the Premier League move was worth it, but there won’t be sympathy if we ended up passing him on the way up.
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