January 2022 would come and go without any senior additions at Leeds United, despite them ending that transfer window in 15th place. The Whites were seven points clear of third-bottom Newcastle United, but looking back on an injury-ravaged run of two wins in seven matches.
Calmness remained in the boardroom and at Thorp Arch. Marcelo Bielsa was never one to overreact to poor form or injury crises with expensive bids for new players, while Angus Kinnear and Victor Orta saw sense in following their head coach’s lead.
United’s top brass knew it would be unwise to force players upon Bielsa he did not want, especially if they would not be considered fit enough by him to play until mid or late March. Brenden Aaronson was that window’s number-one target and the name all departments agreed ticked the right boxes.
