Fredrik Aursnes (Image credit: Google)
According to The Sun, Leeds United are monitoring the progress of Molde FK star Fredrik Aursnes ahead of their return to the Premier League.
The report suggests that Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa is looking to strengthen his squad in various positions and Aursnes could be the next arrival at Elland Road. He is valued at £5m by his club but the newly-promoted side could face competition for the Norwegian as French outfit Toulouse are also interested in signing the midfielder.
Born in Norway, Aursnes began his journey with Hareid IL before moving to Hodd in January 2012. In his first season with the club, he helped them lift the Norwegian Cup and become the youngest player to lift the trophy. After making 122 appearances for Hodd, he was signed by Molde in January 2016 by now-Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
He immediately established himself as a key figure of the squad and has gone on to make 149 appearances for the club, helping them lift the league title in the 2019/20 campaign. And despite being a defensive midfielder, Aursnes has managed to rack up 18 goals and 1 assist for the Norwegian Champions.
Bielsa has a plethora of attack-minded midfielders at his disposal. However, in defensive situations, Kalvin Phillips is the only option available. The Englishman has been one of the key figures in Bielsa’s squad and has featured regularly.
Moroccan Ouasim Buoy hasn’t featured for the club since his arrival and his loan spell with Zwolle also hasn’t helped his cause. He has just one more year left on his contract with the club and is unlikely to get into the starting XI.
Connor Shaughnessy is another defensive midfielder in the squad. But the Irishman is also contracted only until the end of the 2021 campaign. And if both of them leave in the near future, Leeds would be left with just one holding midfielder. Thus, a defensive midfielder is a must in the summer.
In that regard, Aursnes would be a viable option for the club. The Norwegian has been in good nick in the last few years and should only get better with experience. He has already made 271 appearances despite being just 24. Apart from defending, his numbers in attacking situations show that he can be an all-round midfielder in Bielsa’s squad.
His inclusion would bring in healthy competition for Phillips, whilst also adding depth to their midfield contingent. He can be a crucial player for the Whites in the future if he is able to replicate the same form and develop himself under the guidance of someone like Bielsa.
With Buoy and Shaughnessy not part of plans, it is clear that Leeds are in dire need of defensive midfielders, who can provide cover for Phillips and bring in healthy competition at the same time. And Aursnes would also provide them with just that, along with some much-needed goals from midfield. Thus, signing the Norwegian would be a wise move by the club.
