Credit: Imago

Oliver Walton

Mon 25 May 2026 10:05, UK

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Leeds United have to sign a new attacking midfielder to replace Brenden Aaronson in Daniel Farke’s starting eleven this summer after he struggled against relegated West Ham.

Farke’s side ended the season on a sour note with a 3-0 defeat to the Hammers at the London Stadium on Sunday.

The loss was made even more disappointing by West Ham’s relegation, but Leeds fans will be excited about the future after a strong return to the Premier League.

Aaronson has become one of his manager’s favourites over the last two seasons, but he failed to impress in the capital and ended the season in poor form.

While it remains to be seen which positions are prioritised in Leeds’ transfer plans this summer, an attacking midfielder has to be on the agenda to replace the USA international in the side for next term.

Leeds need to upgrade on Brenden Aaronson, his West Ham showing proves why

While the majority of Leeds’ players struggled in the London heat on Sunday, Aaronson was a particularly poor performer.

He surged forward with the ball at his feet on several occasions throughout the clash, but seemed to lose his head in the vital moment and either fluffed his lines with a shot or turned back towards his own goal.

Aaronson received a deserved yellow card for dragging El Hadji Malick Diouf back on the counter attack, and his overall stats show that he struggled to make any kind of impact throughout.

West Ham were there for the taking in the first half as they battled relegation, but a lack of creativity from the 25-year-old saw Leeds fail to capitalise.

If the Whites want to push up the Premier League next season, then they clearly need to sign a player who replaces Aaronson in Farke’s starting eleven.

He has ended the league season with nine goal contributions in 37 appearances, which isn’t a terrible return, but was a much poorer performance per 90 minutes than either Noah Okafor or Lukas Nmecha.

Aaronson has also failed to score in any of Leeds’ last 22 games across all competitions, so his inconsistency means he cannot be relied upon going into 2026-27.

What is the latest on Aaronson’s contract situation at Leeds?

Even though he has been a regular starter for Leeds this season, there is still some uncertainty surrounding Aaronson’s future at Elland Road.

Football Insider revealed last month that Farke wants Aaronson to sign a new contract ahead of its current expiry in 2027.

Leeds are reportedly bracing for offers for the 25-year-old, and based on his latest performance, the smarter move could be to let him leave for pastures new.

He has insisted that he wants to stay with the Whites for as long as possible, but he has yet to sign a new deal ahead of a busy summer in which he will feature for the USA at their home World Cup.