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Joe Donnohue

Red Bull Salzburg director already given 15-word verdict on Leeds United's Brenden Aaronson ploy

Leeds United enter the final week of the January transfer window without having added a senior player to Marcelo Bielsa's first-team squad.

Despite the several injuries suffered simultaneously by key Leeds players throughout this season, the club are yet to secure reinforcements in this window.

As it stands, the Whites' solitary addition is that of 18-year-old striker Mateo Joseph Fernandez, who has joined from Spanish side Espanyol.

He recently made his debut for the U23 side, but is also eligible for the U18 squad, suggesting he is still some way off affecting first-team matters.

Leeds have permitted the exit of Cody Drameh on a loan deal until the end of the season, however, meaning they are one first-team player down.

The 20-year-old full-back has joined Cardiff City in the Championship, to the dismay of manager Marcelo Bielsa who insisted he would not stand in the way of any player who wished to 'experiment' elsewhere.

Leeds' main pursuit has been that of USMNT international and FC Red Bull Salzburg attacking midfielder Brenden Aaronson.

The 21-year-old is highly thought of in Austria, having joined from Philadelphia Union in MLS twelve months ago.

Leeds have reportedly lodged two bids with the Austrian Bundesliga club, who this season will compete in the Champions League knockout rounds for the very first time.

Leeds' first reported bid of £15 million is said to have been rejected, while their second attempt, totalling £20 million, is also expected to be rebuffed.

Red Bull Salzburg Sporting Director Christoph Freund has already spoken this month about the club's stance on outgoing players.

In an interview with Salzburger Nachrichten, Freund responded to questions about interest in the likes of Mohamed Camara, Oumar Solet and Brenden Aaronson.

"It is not the plan to give up a regular player in this transfer period," he said.

Aaronson has featured in the vast majority of Salzburg's fixtures this season and started each of their Champions League group games.

Currently, the attacking midfielder is away on international duty in North America, where he refused to go into specifics on his future when questioned about Leeds United's interest.

Brenden Aaronson has been speaking about Leeds United's supposed interest. (Getty Images)

“I’m not going to talk about that. It’s a subject I don’t want to talk about right now. I’m away from it, I’m really not worried about it. I’m just worried about getting wins with America," he said.

A recent report in Salzburger Nachrichten suggests Aaronson may envisage his future away from the Austrian club, but only at the end of the season.

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