Konkuk: “Is it true Leeds [United have] offered [for] another player, not [just Brenden] Aaronson?”
BC: “From what I have been told, Aaronson is the only player they're currently in for at the moment.”
F_Wilson6: “Seems like we’re confident as we’re persisting with it. What’s the highest do you think we’ll go [to]? Around £20m?”
BC: “If you like the player it's always worth persisting with in order to have a few bites of the cherry. Leeds have liked Aaronson for some time and will stick at it until they don't think it's worth spending more time on it.
“I couldn't say where their highest bid would be, but they will not spend over the odds on him. They like Aaronson and know what he should be worth in the market.
“If [Red Bull] Salzburg don't want to negotiate at that level, then he's their player and they don't have to come to the negotiating table anymore.”
LeedsLeedsLeeds: “Hopefully he comes in and nobody snaps him up first. Is he more of a central defensive midfielder, central attacking midfielder or box-to-box midfielder? I see he has a lot of goal contributions. Impressive if he is playing behind the attacking mids.”
BC: “From what I have read, he is more of an attacking central midfielder with the physical attributes of a box-to-box midfielder. My colleague Joe Donnohue put together a useful profile of Aaaronson last night. These are a few excerpts:
“‘Typically an attacking midfielder, Aaronson is best described as a half-winger, capable of playing out wide or centrally in the third line of Salzburg's 4-2-2-2 formation. During games, Aaronson is expected to cover ground in central spaces, as well as supporting attacks via the channels.’
“‘According to football statistics database FBRef.com, Aaronson has averaged 27.84 pressures per 90 in the Champions League for the Austrian side this season. To put that into context, this places him among the top one per cent of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues.
“‘He is equally successful in retrieving the ball high up the pitch, forcing his opponent into giving up the ball 8.55 times per 90, again, placing him in the top one per cent of players in his position, although his overall success rate is lower due to the sheer volume of pressures he makes.
“‘Marcelo Bielsa is renowned for preferring players who can press high up the pitch repeatedly and successfully. At face value, Aaronson fits the bill perfectly.’”
Bedford Pete: “I had a look through some YouTube clips earlier today. He looks decent, but [it’s] hard to form any opinion on just those and the fact the opposition were not Premier [League] standard by some way.
“We have to trust the judgement on why he is the type of player to suit Marcelo's style, but I would not go much, if anything, above £15m if he is only going to warm the bench or sit in the under-23s.
“We have been linked with more established players like [Nahitan] Nandez and I would have been happier to see us push the boat out more on the likes of him.”
BC: “It's fair to say the Austrian top flight is not up to the same level as the PL over here, but Aaronson is someone who has been on their radar for some time from what we understand. They have done their due diligence on him and worked out why they like him.
“His stats, yes in Austria, seem to fit the mould of a Bielsa player too. He would be coming in for the first team, rather than the under-23s. On the bid, we have to trust the club.
“They are not desperate to buy this month. They are happy to go for the right player at the right price. Have faith they will not go over the odds just because Salzburg demand it.”
LewisHarvey: “Express Sport have said Salzburg are not willing to sell in January. Do you know how true that is?”
BC: “I'd be surprised if the first noises coming out of Salzburg were to say they were open for business. It's been reported for a few weeks about their stance and their situation with the league and Champions League on the horizon.
“There is a lot riding on this season for them and the chance to make some history. I can't see why they would want to do business, but this is football and every player has their price.
“If Aaronson's head is turned and the money proves too good to turn down I can see them doing business, but it's whether that number gets too high for Leeds. It won't be an easy deal to get done, in my opinion.”
Tozzy: “Hi Beren. On a slightly different subject, are you aware if recent reports in relation to Rodrigo wanting to leave have any substance?”
BC: “I read them, but didn't give much credence to them. We have been here before with reports on Rodrigo's unhappiness and on that occasion, he felt the need to address it publicly via his social media channels.
“Rodrigo always comes across as a very happy, amiable, modest person looking to make a life for himself over here under Marcelo. I can't say they're false for certain, but my own impression would be they don't make a lot of sense.”
TimCampbell: “Is it a case of now having to bring forward our summer plans and spending some of next year's budget? With [Cody] Drameh away, are they going to rely solely on Stuart [Dallas] rather than bringing someone new in to cover Luke [Ayling] if he gets crocked again? That Torino guy Ola Aina [has been] touted.”
BC: “No, I don't think this January's plans have anything to do with bringing forward the summer strategy. I don't get the impression Drameh's exit means they will be on the lookout for another right-back.
“The youngster will be back in the summer, so bringing someone in now is only going to make it more crowded when Drameh returns from Cardiff.
“We know they didn't want Drameh to go and it is one less body in the right-back slot, but we have to hope [Jamie] Shackleton and Dallas can provide that cover for Ayling when needed.
“I'm not led to believe there's anything in the Ola Aina links.”
CraigMillward: “On the face of it, the decision by Drameh to switch to Cardiff [City] just as he was getting games and impressing Bielsa seems strange. Do you think there is more to it than is evident on the surface? Ego? Not up for the hard work?”
BC: “The Drameh business was an odd one for many of us to understand. This is an already small squad, decimated by injuries, in the best league in the world, playing under a world-renowned head coach who trusts youth players.
“I agree between now and the end of the season he will see more minutes there than he would have done here, but the opportunities were there for at least some minutes in the Premier League and the foundation for even more next season.
“I don't think there's much more to it than what's been made public. Drameh and his representatives wanted to go, Bielsa wasn't going to stand in their way. Time will tell whether it was a good move for the parties concerned.”
Jrsiki: “Hi Beren, some time ago I wrote to you about getting a Henrik Larsson six-month contract and even suggested Dani Alves as one of the many free players trying to get the Qatar tickets.
“For Barcelona, it seems to be working so here's me again, the stubborn. Why can't we consider the same scenario as Barcelona/Alves? That six months won't compromise the budget in terms of FFP (financial fair play), will help with the injury situation and will keep intact all the signings plan[ned] for the summer.
“We could consider too that [in] making a good choice (as Barcelona with Alves) we can obtain a very good player at really low cost and a positive leader/guide in the dressing room.
“By the way, I have the hunch Pat[rick Bamford] and [Adam] Forshaw will be available this weekend. What do you think? Plus, Pascal [Struijk] covering left-back and [Diego] Llorente at centre-back. The squad seems to be quite competitive and spot on.”
BC: “I remember your theory! Thanks for getting in touch again. I don't think the short-term approach works under Bielsa. January is not a good month for business at the best of times because of how long it takes new faces to get up to speed, physically and tactically, under Bielsa.
“When you then add in the idea that player is well into their 30s and beyond their physical peak, with no plans to be at the club beyond May, it just makes less and less sense. Even in the dressing room, an ego of that type would jar with the established leadership group and their backgrounds.
“My fingers are crossed for Bamford after his recent near-misses, but I wonder if Bielsa may take a more patient approach with Forshaw, given his importance and injury history. Miss this game and then there's a full two-and-a-half weeks until the next one to heal up.
“It's amazing what an unexpected win can do. Even with two extra absentees, the squad just feels like it's in a better place.”
Tozzy: “On the subject of Aaronson, it seems Salzburg will be reluctant to part with him until they have done with their Champions League challenge. Obviously, Victor Orta will know this and has apparently decided to continue negotiations.
“My thought is that he may compromise and try and tie down a deal for the Summer, rather than backing off. Obviously, Leeds want him, so would you think this might be a realistic possibility?”
BC: “Yes, I could see that being realistic. If they can't get a deal done in January it doesn't suddenly mean they don't like Aaronson as a player. Depending on each club's circumstances, as well as the player's, I could see why they would want to pursue him again in the summer if they didn't get him this month.”
