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Leeds United may struggle to sign Brenden Aaronson in January
Leeds United might miss out on signing their number one transfer target Brenden Aaronson in January, believes Beren Cross who says “it won’t be easy”.
The journalist had previously said on his Twitter account that the club were not looking at any other transfer targets, and that they were confident in returning with another bid after their initial £15million approach was rejected by Red Bull Salzburg (The Athletic).
However, he sees it as a difficult deal to complete during this window due to the player’s importance to his current club at this stage of the season.
On the Leeds Live Q&A, the reporter responded to a question about the Austrian side’s willingness to sell by saying: “There is a lot riding on this season for them and the chance to make some history. I can’t see why they would want to do business, but this is football and every player has their price.
“If Aaronson’s head is turned and the money proves too good to turn down I can see them doing business, but it’s whether that number gets too high for Leeds. It won’t be an easy deal to get done, in my opinion.”
Deflating news
Perhaps those in the Leeds boardroom know something Cross doesn’t since the indications coming out of the club paint a much more positive picture than the view the journalist holds.
Salzburg are sitting comfortably at the top of the Austrian Bundesliga, currently holding a 14 point lead over second-placed SK Sturm Graz, and will be confident in their ability to defend their league title.
They are also into the knockout stages of the Champions League, with a huge clash against German giants Bayern Munich on the horizon next month in the Round of 16.
This is the club’s furthest foray in the competition in their history, and while they are going to be huge underdogs regardless, it seems unlikely that they will want to lose a key member of their first team heading into that tie.
With Kalvin Phillips leaving a huge hole in the middle of the team thanks to his long-term absence this season it is logical that Marcelo Bielsa is looking to fill that gap.
The American has started every game in Europe’s premier competition this season and would leave a big gap of his own if he can be tempted to come to the Premier League.
However, the spending power of the English top fight cannot be underestimated and money may end up being the difference going forward.
In other Leeds United news, the signing could end up being a replacement for losing this first team star.