EPL: Bournemouth beats Leeds United in race for Max Aarons

Bournemouth have announced the signing of right-back Max Aarons from Norwich City on a long-term contract.

Norwich have been operating on a limited budget throughout the summer window and have been hoping to cash in on Aarons this summer with just one year left on his contract.

Before Bournemouth announced the signing of Max Aarons, he had completed his medical with Daniel Farke’s Leeds team.

Bournemouth did not disclose details of the transfer, but British media reported that the England Under-21 international joined the Cherries for an initial £9m, which could reportedly rise to as much as £12m with performance-related add-ons.

Bournemouth chief executive Neill Blake told the club’s official website;

“We are thrilled to welcome Max to the club. He’s a player who will be an excellent fit in our system, with physical attributes and technical ability that will benefit the team and our style of play. We’re looking forward to working with him and we have no doubt that Max is going to prove a great addition to the squad.”

Aarons departs Norwich after a seven-year spell at Carrow Road, having also turned out for Luton Town’s youth academy between 2009 and 2016 before joining the Canaries. The 23-year-old made 213 appearances for Norwich’s first team, scoring six goals and setting up 17 more.

The defender had previously earned links with the likes of Manchester United and Bayern Munich, while Barcelona supposedly failed with two bids for Aarons in the summer of 2020.

Aarons is now Bournemouth’s second signing of the day, following countryman Alex Scott to the Vitality Stadium, while Milos Kerkez, Ionut Radu, Romain Faivre and Justin Kluivert have also joined the Cherries this summer.

Aarons could make his debut for Iraola’s side in their Premier League opener at home to West Ham United on Saturday afternoon.