Talks shift fo summer move
This article first appeared on Jan. 18 and has since been updated with new information.
Premier League side Leeds United have made multiple offers to sign Brenden Aaronson. The Athletic first reported on January 18 that Red Bull Salzburg have rejected an €18 million ($20 million) offer for the 21-year-old attacking midfielder. Leeds have since made further offers but Salzburg are uninterested in selling the attacking midfielder and talks have now shifted to a potential summer move per MLSSoccer.com writer Tom Bogert.
@TheAthleticUK is reporting that Leeds United have had a €18m bid for Brendan Aaronson turned down by Red Bull Salzburg.
The attacker has only been in a year but has shone in the Bundesliga & UCL since joining from Philadelphia Union for €10m.
https://t.co/4vI6I2Ll6s pic.twitter.com/RAtH7kQyP7
— The Other Bundesliga (@OtherBundesliga) January 18, 2022
Leeds United sit relatively comfortably above the relegation drop-zone in the Premier League and have an American connection through the San Francisco 49ers—the NFL franchise owns a 44% stake in the club. Signing Aaronson could, therefore, be considered a strategic signing by Leeds. But medium-term Leeds also need to sign a replacement for Brazilian winger Raphinha, who has been heavily linked to Bayern Munich and Liverpool. Signing Aaronson would be a significant statement; the 21-year-old is among the ten most valuable Americans on the planet.
Short-term, Salzburg have their own plans for Aaronson. Traditionally, Die Mozartstädter have not been shy to sell one of their stars in the winter. But for the first time in club history, Salzburg have advanced to the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League, and the club faces German giants Bayern Munich, a cross-border local rival and a match that comes with significant prestige for the Red Bull company. Furthermore, a summer transfer would bring other interested parties to the table as both Milan and RB Leipzig are also interested in Aaronson.
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Aaronson was taught to “live in the moment” – Philadelphia Union receive 20% of future fee
Aaronson has made it clear in the past that he does not necessarily have a long-term plan for his future. “I was taught at a very young age to always live in the moment,” Aaronson said in an exclusive interview with Transfermarkt after he joined RB Salzburg. “I think, for now, I just want to enjoy the moment, playing and really develop my game, learning and score goals and assists.” The Philadelphia Union, in the meantime, would benefit from a transfer. The Major League Soccer club would receive 20% of any future transfer.
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