Leeds United were unable to bolster Marcelo Bielsa's first-team squad during last month's transfer window, although attempts were made to add an attacking midfielder.
Two bids, reported to be in the region of £15 million and £20 million, were rebuffed by Austrian side FC Red Bull Salzburg as USMNT international Brenden Aaronson was identified as Leeds' primary target.
The Whites were unwilling to lodge bids for any other player, preferring to go all in on their chosen man, however extenuating circumstances meant Leeds were unable to land the 21-year-old.
Aaronson and his FC Red Bull Salzburg teammates will make history this evening as the Austrian champions take on Bundesliga giants FC Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16.
It is the first time the club have reached this stage of Europe's premium club competition, and as a result, Salzburg were reluctant to let the United States midfielder leave in January.
There were suggestions that an improved bid may have forced Salzburg's hand but ultimately Leeds opted not to overspend, pledging their faith in Bielsa's current squad.
Speaking to German outlet SportBILD ahead of tonight's Champions League fixture, Salzburg head coach Matthias Jaissle has been discussing Aaronson amid the possibility of a summer exit, with Leeds United a destination still very much on the cards.
"The special thing [about Aaronson] is: I hardly know any other [Number] ten who works so much against the ball. He always puts himself behind, is a great team player, very hardworking and has a monster mentality,” Jaissle told the popular sports magazine, as quoted by SportWitness.
Jaissle's words could be interpreted as the Salzburg head coach talking up his player ahead of a potential summer move given the already well-documented interest in his player.
Although, it is rather likely the young coach is being sincere; only two players during this season's Champions League Group Stage made more successful pressures than Aaronson, which certainly supports Jaissle's comments.
SportBILD also claim four Bundesliga clubs have expressed an interest in the attacking midfielder.
Borussia Monchengladbach, Eintracht Frankfurt, TSG Hoffenheim and SC Freiburg are the clubs named by the German magazine.
Frankfurt are currently the Bundesliga's most pressing-oriented side, as per FBRef data, especially in the attacking third, which suggests there may be some truth to the claim.
However Hoffenheim and Freiburg are among the league's lowest pressers, indicating Aaronson may not fit in so well there.
It is assumed that Aaronson's off-the-ball work-rate was a key factor in Leeds' decision to pursue a move for him last month.
The 21-year-old is expected to feature from the start for Salzburg in this evening's Champions League Round of 16 tie with Bayern Munich.
