Report: Leeds not confident Ayling will be ready for start of next season

By Jordan Harris

Leeds United are not confident that Luke Ayling will be ready for the start of next season after he underwent surgery on his knee injury, according to a report from The Athletic.

The Whites have been one of the busier Premier League sides in the early stages of the summer. A deal for Brenden Aaronson was finalised soon after survival was secured.

And they have just added their second addition, with Rasmus Kristensen also joining from Red Bull Salzburg. The Denmark international is versatile, but is predominantly a right-back.

And it seems that he will quickly get a chance to stamp his authority on the role. The Athletic reports that Leeds are not confident that Ayling will be ready for the start of next season.

Ayling underwent surgery after suspension ruled him out of the final three games of the campaign. Leeds noted that the 30-year-old spent the majority of the campaign playing in pain.

Leeds not confident Ayling will be ready for start of next season

Ayling did not have the best year when he was playing. For some, it seemed to be an indication that Leeds needed to seek a replacement for the fan favourite.

Signing Kristensen therefore, appears to be an incredibly smart piece of business. Leeds have landed an international who has played in the Champions League. And according to The Athletic, the expectation was that he was Borussia Dortmund-bound before Leeds came calling.

But it would be interesting to know just how much Ayling’s form was impacted by injury. It sounds as though the problem was never completely addressed during the season.

That will increase hope that Ayling can find some good form upon his return. At his best, he is a ‘superb‘ option to have. And clearly, his presence in the dressing room is absolutely massive.

Kristensen’s arrival takes some of the pressure off of Ayling ahead of next season.

Leeds will hope that they have not only signed a brilliant defender in the Dane, but his move also plays its part in helping Ayling rediscover his best form.