Red Bull Salzburg insider names Brenden Aaronson price ahead of Leeds United's summer pursuit

Leeds United chose not to bring in any senior players during the January transfer window despite their intent to pursue Brenden Aaronson.

The Whites identified the hard-working 21-year-old as a primary attacking midfield target but could not tempt Austrian champions FC Red Bull Salzburg into parting with the player.

Leeds lodged two bids - totalling £15 million and £20 million - with the Austrian club, but neither were accepted, at which point Leeds opted against a third approach.

It has been mooted that the club will return to Salzburg in summer with a similar offer, believing their improved £20 million bid should be enough to prise him away from the Bulls, who later this month will compete in the Champions League knockout stage.

Local journalist Alexander Bischof of Salzburger Nachrichten, believes Leeds could run into trouble this summer, if they believe they can lure Salzburg into selling the United States international for less than £20 million.

Speaking to LeedsLive, Bischof said: "Salzburg won't give him away for much less [than £20 million].

"Salzburg still want to keep Aaronson and also have many professionals who can play in Aaronson's position - for example [Noah] Okafor, [Luka] Sucic," he said of the potential to replace Aaronson before the Austrian transfer window closes next Monday.

Although, there is hope for a summer bid, he adds: "In principle, Salzburg does not want to give away any players in the winter. But after the end of a season, you don't put anything in the way of players who want to take the next step in their career. And you also need the millions to be able to continue running the business."

£20 million would come close to Salzburg's outgoing transfer record, which was eclipsed last summer when Leicester City signed Patson Daka for a fee in the region of £23 million.

Brenden Aaronson of FC Salzburg reacts after the UEFA Champions League group G match between FC Salzburg and VfL Wolfsburg at Red Bull Arena on October 20, 2021 in Salzburg, Austria. (Jasmin Walter - FC Red Bull Salzburg/FC Red Bull Salzburg via Getty Images)

"Aaronson feels he is ready for one of the top leagues," Bischof says. "If the price is right, the Bulls won't be able to say no, they know that a professional can't be kept; a contract in the Premier League is tempting."

It seems Leeds may need to part with a fee somewhere in the region of £20 million this summer, if they do return for the 21-year-old.