CBS Sports claim (Monday, 3pm) that Leeds United remain locked in talks to sign RedBull Salzburg midfielder Brenden Aaronson. However, while negotiations are ongoing on deadline day – the focus is on the summer.
Aaronson, 21, was strongly linked with a move to Leeds this month – with the Whites said to have made two offers for the USA star, worth £15million and £20million. But Salzburg have reiterated he is not for sale this month.
Leeds are said to be keen to bring in a midfielder, but Aaronson is seen as a long-term part of the way the club is moving forward. Salzburg are keen to keep him, as they embark on their first Champions League knockout stage.
The report now states that while the two parties remain in talks to arrange a fee for Aaronson, the focus has switched to agreeing a move for the summer. The report does state Marcelo Bielsa’s side are ‘front runners’.
Leeds talks for Aaronson: Setting up summer deal is impressive work
It shows that Leeds are planning for the future. It shows that Leeds are looking to the long-term plan of the club, and that they have a plan in place. The issue is, that that plan would be thrown in the bin – with relegation.
A win over West Ham saw Leeds climb out of a scrap, but a week later they lost at home to Newcastle and remain embroiled in the dog fight. Signing Aaronson would have boosted the club’s pursuit of safety.
However, Aaronson was never going to join Leeds in January with Salzburg adamant he was staying – even if Leeds paid over the odds. A summer move is brilliant, but talks will be for nothing if they cannot stay up.
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