When Leeds United confirmed one of the worst kept secrets in European football this week – announcing Jesse Marsch as Marcelo Bielsa’s Elland Road replacement – reports linking Brenden Aaronson with a move to the Premier League strugglers took on a whole new meaning.
Leeds failed with a £15 million bid for Aaronson in January, according to The Athletic. Not to be deterred, they have also made the USA international their top target heading into the summer transfer window.
The former Philadelphia Union star played under Marsch at Red Bull Salzburg. They both made their name in the MLS.
And Aaronson, after moving to Austria last year, described Marsch as a ‘great guy’, a coach with a superb track record when it comes to helping talented youngsters realise their potential.
Sound familiar, Leeds fans?
Is Brenden Aaronson set to be Jesse Marsch’s first Leeds signing?
“Before joining (Salzburg), I asked the coaching staff what kind of game they want me to play,” Aaronson explains to the Red Bull website.
“I also watched a documentary on Red Bull TV to see how they play.
“As soon as I arrived here, I realized that the team’s style of play suits me perfectly. It’s a vertical game, with pressing, tackling and moving quickly to attack.
“That’s the kind of football I love. I like that kind of philosophy.”
‘Philosophy’. It’s a word Leeds supporters will have heard a lot over the last few days.
When unveiling Marsch on a three-and-a-half year deal, Leeds’ director of football Victor Orta made sure to point out that the 48-year-old’s ‘philosophy and style of football aligns with that of the club.
What’s more, Orta said, it will ‘suit the players very well’.
Leeds, under Marsch, plan to build upon Bielsa’s foundations rather than rip up the floorboards and start again. Aaronson would be a fitting first signing for a bold new era at Elland Road.
A player perfectly suited to Marsch’s style. And, therefore, perfectly suited to Leeds’ too.
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