January’s transfer chase revolves around Brenden Aaronson for Leeds United and a £15m rejection will not stop them at this point.
The USA international has long been on director of football Victor Orta’s shortlist for midfield reinforcements as an ideal addition to the Marcelo Bielsa blueprint.
Last night, The Athletic reported Red Bull Salzburg had turned down a reported £15m offer from the Whites for their 21-year-old midfielder.
United are expected to return to the table with another offer for Aaronson in an attempt to turn Salzburg’s arm, though Champions League football may complicate matters.
The Red Bulls are waltzing to the Austrian Football Bundesliga championship with a 14-point lead at this stage, while Bayern Munich await in the Champions League’s round of 16 next month.
While Aaronson is currently the club’s primary target in this window, United will not be tempted into paying over the odds and feel confident with where their valuation of the midfielder rests.
LeedsLive understands United have no concerns the club’s ongoing legal dispute with RB Leipzig will affect their dealings with Salzburg.
Leipzig, Salzburg’s sister club in the Red Bull stable, are at odds with Leeds over Jean-Kevin Augustin’s transfer in 2020 and will see the case go before the Court of Arbitration for Sport in March.
With two weeks to go until the January window closes, United are confident Aaronson is the one and only player they want right now.
Time will tell whether Orta can work his magic and seal another deal.
