Brenden Aaronson insists he is fully focused on Red Bull Salzburg when quizzed on a potential reunion with Jesse Marsch at Premier League outfit Leeds United, speaking to Kicker.
If reports are to be believed, Leeds made a £15 million bid for the twinkle-toed USA international during the January transfer window (Athletic).
Marcelo Bielsa was still at the helm back then. But when the identity of Bielsa’s successor was revealed – Marsch signing a deal until 2025 at Elland Road – Leeds’ interest in the New Jersey-born Aaronson took on a whole new dimension.
Did Leeds made a bid for the £20 million-rated former Philadelphia Union star with Marsch in mind?
That certainly seems to be the case, given that Marsch worked with Aaronson at Salzburg following his £7 million, MLS-record move to Austria in January 2020.
Will Brenden Aaronson be Jesse Marsch’s first Leeds signing?
Salzburg turned down Leeds’ winter bid.
The taurine-powered outfit were reluctant to sell one of their star players in the build-up to a crunch clash with Bayern Munich, Salzburg’s first ever outing in the Champions League knockout stages.
Come the summer, the runaway Bundesliga leaders are unlikely to stand in Aaronson’s way however.
Though, when asked about a reunion with Marsch in West Yorkshire, the so-called ‘American Kai Havertz’ was reluctant to give too much away.
“For me, Red Bull Salzburg always came first,” Aaronson explains.
“I don’t want to talk about anything else because it’s not an issue for me at the moment. When these rumours (linking me with Leeds) started, my focus was always here at Salzburg. Just like it is now.”
When pressed further on the presence of his former Salzburg boss Marsch on the Elland Road touchline, Aaronson insisted that, for now, he is cheering on the 48-year-old tactician from afar.
“I’m just glad he got a job there (in the Premier League)!,” adds Aaronson, who names Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard as one of his role models. “I’m keeping my fingers crossed that he performs well with Leeds.
“I take things day by day and day by day means I’m here now.
“I want to win the league and the cup again, that’s my current goal and whatever happens in summer happens in summer.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
