Leeds United remain interested in signing Red Bull Salzburg’s Brenden Aaronson, but a January move is not happening.
Leeds’ deadline day is not likely to set the hearts racing as it has done in previous windows, but there is genuine interest in certain players.
The attempted capture of Brenden Aaronson is perhaps the biggest story of Leeds’ January so far.
The USMNT midfielder is currently away on international duty having seen his club, Red Bull Salzburg, not accept two bids from Leeds for his services.
The Athletic reported of an initial £15million offer being turned down before an improved bid of £20million was essentially given the silent treatment but the Austrian club.
Their stance has remained the same since the start of the window, that they won’t sell Aaronson while they’re still in a Champions League campaign – Salzburg are currently on their best run in the competition as they gear up to face Bayern Munich next month in the round of 16.
While a deal looks nigh on impossible right now, Sky Sports’ Tim Thornton has revealed that Leeds are looking to sign the player in the not-too-distant future.
He stated on air:
“Leeds have been looking to get players in, rather than ship players out.
“Their number one target, the Salzburg midfielder Brenden Aaronson, the bid went in for £15million, then a second bid for £20million.
“But, frustration for Leeds because Salzburg are still in the Champions League and they don’t want to sell either.
“So, that is a deal we don’t expect to get done today, but Leeds still remain very keen and that is a transfer that could well go through in the summer.”
As you were.
Aaronson was always a player that was going to be difficult to bring to Leeds this month and it’s frustrating that we’ve relied on him being the prime target, and had no backup option.
We must have known that Salzburg weren’t going to be keen on letting him leave when they are in uncharted UCL territory.
Now we’re stuck without many midfield options, let alone attacking ones, until the summer.
By the time we can get our hands on Aaronson, it wouldn’t shock me if our efforts this month have just alerted everyone else to his talents.