Leeds need to beat Championship rivals to signature of Newcastle star

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Marcelo Bielsa is expected to bring a number of new faces to Leeds this summer.

Relegated West Bromwich Albion are reportedly interested in signing Newcastle United wide man Rolando Aarons, but first-team football at the Hawthorns would be questionable and Leeds United should take advantage of that.

The Daily Mirror claim the Baggies are interested in signing the 22-year-old this summer, after he spent the second half of the 2017-18 campaign on loan at Serie A side Hellas Verona.

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Out of favour at Newcastle, Aarons sits way down the pecking order behind Matt Ritchie, Christian Atsu and Jacob Murphy. A move away from St. James’ Park is likely to occur, then, but the Baggies may fail to offer Aarons first-team football.

Here are three reasons why Leeds should take advantage and look to lure the England youth international to Elland Road:

Leeds need a winger

Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa’s main transfer priorities this summer will be to bring a new striker, centre-back and goalkeeper to Elland Road – but he should be considering a new winger, too.

With Pawel Cibicki set to leave and Stuart Dallas perhaps required at right-back after Lewie Coyle rejoined Fleetwood Town, competition for Ezgjan Alioski is crucial and Aarons can provide just that.

Premier League quality – despite injury

Aarons has more than enough quality to make it in the Premier League, but his long-term knee injury hampered his progress. Missing almost the entirety of Newcastle’s 2016-17 campaign, Aarons has become somewhat of a forgotten man.

But he has scored against Manchester City in the Premier League in the past, and showed at Verona last season that he can thrive in the big leagues. Moving to Leeds, then, would give the Whites the quality of a top-flight winger.

Bielsa’s 3-3-1-3 would see Aarons thrive

The formation is synonymous with Bielsa. The Argentine boss created the offensive line-up and starting Aarons as one of the attacking threesome will bring the best out of him.

Able to play with freedom and drive at an opponent’s defence, the 3-3-1-3 system allows Aarons to stay up field rather than having to track back. His style of play is well-suited to Bielsa’s plan.