Football writer Beren Cross has tipped Leeds United to go back in for failed January transfer target Brenden Aaronson in the summer.
It’s no secret to anyone who keeps half an eye on the West Yorkshire club that Marcelo Bielsa and co were fairly keen on bringing the 21-year-old to England this winter.
However, as reported by The Athletic, his club Red Bull Salzburg were unwilling to budge on their estimation of the player, which was evidently too much for Leeds to spend in the short term.
Will Leeds sign Brenden Aaronson in the summer?
Yes
No
Still, while talking on The Blue, White and Yellow podcast, Cross explained that the club will wait until the summer, when they will have more time to negotiate the deal.
He said: “They’ve got to be at a valuation which isn’t extortionate, remains good value for the club, and isn’t eye-wateringly more than what they would pay in the summer – which, in the case of Aaronson, looks like possibly the way they’ve seen it.
“[Leeds] definitely could have offered more money for Aaronson this month, but they feel that with all those factors thrown into a big pot, they feel that it’s better to wait for him in the summer.
“I don’t think there’s going to be any issues with Aaronson himself as a player and personally wanting to come to Leeds. But in terms of negotiating with Salzburg, Leeds clearly believe that a summer move for him is going to make more sense for the club as a whole moving forward.”
TIF Thoughts on Brenden Aaronson and Leeds…
As is made clear by Cross’ claim, Leeds didn’t appear to feel any pressure to overspend on Aaronson to get a deal over the line immediately.
While this is commendable, a lack of new signings in the winter window does leave the Peacocks somewhat vulnerable. Indeed, with Leeds sitting only three places above the bottom three, there is still a chance Bielsa’s men could be pulled into a relegation battle.
But if they can survive, Leeds can then go and spend the whole summer working on getting the right price for the American. Negotiations should also be helped by the fact that, as Cross suggested, Aaronson should be keen on a move.
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