Leeds United saw an opening offer of £15 million turned down for Red Bull Salzburg midfielder Brenden Aaronson on Tuesday.
The Whites, though, are expected to return with a fresh offer in the hope of landing their number one target this month.
While Salzburg are reluctant to lose him at the midway point of the season, Aaronson is reportedly keen on a move to the Premier League and working under Marcelo Bielsa, according to the Daily Mail.
Aaronson fits the profile of a midfielder perfectly suited to Bielsa’s system, as his work rate make him among one of the top pressers in Europe.
He is also a creative force in the final third, with a decent eye for goal and the ability to create chances for his teammates.
Via an interview with the Athletic, his father Rusty Aaronson revealed that he opened up an indoor facility near their family home to help his son develop his technique.
This, he believes, has gone a long way to moulding him into the type of player he is today.
He said: “If you watch Brenden or Paxten [his brother], the way they turn, how they’re always on a half turn and how the ball kind of rolls around with them, that’s from the walls in our basement and their barefoot games.”
Another important aspect that Leeds always consider when signing a player is the type of person they are, particularly since Bielsa’s arrival at the club.
Leeds’ squad is known for being incredibly tight knit both on and off the pitch, so they must have the right personality in order to fit into the group.
Based on what his former coach Jim Curtin told both the Guardian and the Athletic, he appears as though he has all the right attributes in his character to settle in seamlessly.
He said: “There’s a fine line between confidence and arrogance. He has a real belief in himself, but he never comes across thinking he’s better than the level.
“He has great self-awareness. It’s like a lost art. People think they’re way better than they are, but Brenden has none of that. He wants to learn, he asks questions.
“He looks like he should be in a boy band rather than a Champions League game. But when he steps on the field and the whistle blows, he’s ruthless man.
“He’s a killer and he’s relentless. It’s important too, his teammates love him. I can’t stress that enough. There’s so many great young talents that know they’re great, and maybe don’t fit in the locker room.
“But the kid is a sweetheart. Instantly, Jesse was like, ‘The whole team has fallen in love with Brenden. They root for him like he’s a mascot, almost.’ And now he’s one of their best players. He just has such a good way about him.”
