Leeds United have submitted two bids for US international midfielder, Brenden Aaronson.
RB Salzburg rejected the first bid of £15million but it's unclear how they will deal with the second offer, believed to be for £20million.
It's been made clear that Salzburg would prefer to keep the 21-year-old but every player has his price and the Red Bull-owned club are known for selling their players for big profits, so there is still a chance that a deal can be done for the player which Victor Orta and Marcelo Bielsa are extremely keen on.
Aaronson began his career in the MLS with Philadelphia Union and he has earned himself 15 caps for the USMNT.
An ex-manager of the USMNT, Jurgen Klinsmann has already offered some advice to the new generation of talent which Aaronson is part of, telling them to seek out competition at the highest levels in order to improve themselves individually and subsequently improving their national team.
He spoke of players like Christian Pulisic and Giovanni Reyna playing in top European leagues at a young age, rather than proving themselves in MLS first and then moving during their peak years. He acknowledged the risk of moving before establishing oneself as a high level professional but explained his thinking:
"You have to be open-minded, ready to learn and fight for a spot every day and understand that, sooner or later, "I have to kick someone in front of me out."
"If you have a setback, like an injury or a coaching change, understand that you have the ability to prove yourself all over again. It is natural for players to think about their own situation, which is why that support network is super important."
Aaronson was namechecked by the German as one of those players brave enough to make a move.
"Germany is a good destination because there is open-mindedness to give youngsters playing time, but opportunities exist across Europe," he added. "Brenden Aaronson, for example, has gone from Philadelphia Union to Red Bull Salzburg in Austria, where he finds huge support from his coach -- and fellow American -- Jesse Marsch."
The 21-year-old is no longer coached by Marsch as the American has subsequently been hired and then fired by RB Leipzig but it's clear that Aaronson wasn't afraid to make an early move in his career development.
That move has seen him compete in the Austrian Bundesliga - where Salzburg are a dominant team - but also in the Champions League. The Red Bulls are through to the last 16 of the competition, where they will face Bayern Munich but if Aaronson wants to take another step in his career, then a move to Leeds and the Premier League will be highly tempting to him.
Of course, the Champions League is the world's elite club competition but Bayern are the overwhelming favourites for the two-legged tie, meaning Salzburg are highly likely to exit the competition at this stage. Even so, competing in the Premier League on a weekly basis will test Aaronson to a greater level than competing in the Austrian Bundesliga, even with Champions League ties as well.
Aaronson has gone on record before to say that getting to the Premier League is his overall goal:
"I think the Premier League is the dream league for me. It's unbelievable and it keeps going upwards," he told Sky Sports in 2020.
"The players keep getting better and better and for me, it's for sure a dream league and something I would like to be a part of for any team over there really!"
It remains to be seen whether the American will move to Elland Road this month but Leeds are such huge fans of the player that it won't be a surprise to see them move for him again in the summer if he doesn't join this season.
