Leeds United are in the market for Red Bull Salzburg midfielder Brenden Aaronson during this January window, but it could prove to be a transfer period in which the Whites miss out on their top target as the deadline grows ever nearer.
It may feel like deja vu to many Leeds supporters, having endured disappointing transfer windows of seasons past where the same elusive names are repeated on end, only for them to move elsewhere or stay put.
The hope is Brenden Aaronson's situation will not develop into a similar saga, but he is the name on supporters' lips heading into the final few days of the window.
Here is a full transcript from yesterday's Leeds United question-and-answer session on LeedsLive.
JD: Welcome everyone. If you have any questions or thoughts of your own about anything Leeds United related, please send them over in the comments here.
MiddleL: You are probably already sick of hearing this kids name but what’s the latest on Brenden Aaronson? Are we likely to go in with a third and final offer so see if they budge on their stance? Thanks
JD: "Hi MiddleL, Aaronson is away on international duty in the US at the moment. The issue with a third offer is there's no guarantee Salzburg will accept and their position has been firm so far. If the club were to go back in for him this summer, which may still happen, the bidding would begin at that increased third offer. Their Sporting Director Christoph Freund said a few weeks ago that no 'regular' players would be leaving in this window, of which Aaronson is one. Off the top of my head, Salzburg's recent big-money January sales such as Dominik Szoboszlai and Erling Haaland have seen their hand forced by either their relationship with RB Leipzig, or a release clause. They managed to hang onto Enock Mwepu and Patson Daka until the summer last season, and there was definitely interest in both during the January window."
MiddleL: To your knowledge do you know how many bids the likes of Daka and Mwepu received in order to get a rough estimate at Salzburg’s stance when it came to finally budging and accepting their offers?
Also are you able to shed any light on Boubacar Kamara links, heard he can be available for just 10m which would be a real steal if true but I also understand Man U are chasing his signature too. Thanks
JD: "Couldn't say with any certainty but on Daka, Leicester were understood to be quite late to the party when it came to making an offer for him. Given he eventually went for somewhere in the region of £20-30 million, it's safe to assume there were a few clubs jostling over him around that £20 million mark. Considering he was top scorer in Austria for almost two years running, I can appreciate if there is hesitance from Leeds' side to do a similar financial deal for a player who doesn't bring as much in the way of material output.
"On Kamara, £10 million has been touted yes, but I'd have thought if that was genuine, there will have been clubs queuing up on January 1st to take him six months early. Usually, there's a reason for these things. Also, from the player's side, free agents can often command a higher wage or signing on fee because they know clubs are foregoing a transfer fee. Waiting an extra six months on the French Riviera until his contract expires at Marseille doesn't seem like a bad choice, either."
TobyGray: Looking like Aaronson is going to be agreed to join in the summer, so assume nothing will be incoming 1XI [first eleven] wise before deadline?
JD: "Hi Toby, there is an assumption that Leeds may revisit the Aaronson deal in the summer if he stays put this month, but there is no guarantee of that and no way of knowing for certain until that time comes. In the end, other targets might end up being identified who are better suited, although I do think Aaronson is a good fit. Due to the Raphinha and Dan James deals being concluded so late in previous windows, and the speedy nature with which they were agreed, I don't think we can assume the club have closed shop just yet, even if things appear quiet right now."
mapgroup: Joe, Is there a feeling that the club see this season as a freak when it comes to injuries and just hope to ride it out and wait for the summer window. There does not appear to have been too much conviction in approaching players and the hope must be that with a full squad come March we can kick on and move up the table. A risky strategy if that is the case but would save money in the long term if it works.
JD: "Angus Kinnear has bemoaned the rotten luck Leeds have suffered with injuries in his programme notes once or twice this season, so I'd be inclined to say they see the situation the same as the rest of us: a freak. Not quite so sure the idea is to ride out the storm and wait for the summer given bids have been lodged for Aaronson, albeit unsuccessfully so far. The perception that Leeds haven't been as active as other clubs is because their recruitment policy means they will target a specific player who is better than current options, will be able to contribute immediately, and is available for an affordable sum. Unfortunately, in January, not too many players fall into that bracket because it's a seller's market and buying clubs are often asked to pay over the odds. If Leeds are keeping their powder dry this month, then you have to assume - or hope - that'll be with a view to investing heavily in the summer."
TimCampbell: Joe to your mind have the club been as open and transparent about the club's finances?
JD: "Hi Tim, to an extent the club have to be transparent financially as their accounts are available on Companies House due to being a Limited company. The intention upon getting promoted was always to 'front-load' transfer investment in that first window (summer 2020) to build a squad which was capable of consolidating the club in the top flight for the first two years. If there was no money to spend, they would not be lodging bids of £15-20 million. For them, it's about selecting the right targets and not paying over the odds, which I appreciate appears lacklustre when teams below such as Newcastle are spending £25 million on Chris Wood's, for example."
