Leeds United's pursuit of FC Red Bull Salzburg midfielder Brenden Aaronson last month was ultimately in vain as the player remained with the Austrian champions beyond the transfer deadline in England.
Leeds had lodged two bids - totalling £15 million and £20 million - with the Champions League outfit, but Salzburg, who are funded by energy drink conglomerate Red Bull stood firm on their player, rebuffing both bids.
There has been the suggestion in recent days that Leeds may re-enter the market for the USMNT international later this year, nearer to the summer window opening in June.
However, so far these claims are merely conjectural and unconfirmed by the club.
Leeds are likely to monitor Aaronson's situation closely over the coming months, given he is a primary target, owing to his hard-working style on and off the ball.
Local reports in Austria suggest Salzburg manager Matthias Jaissle will need to prepare for life without Aaronson this summer though, as the expectation is he will be sold by the club.
While Leeds are not mentioned explicitly in the report by Salzburger Nachrichten, there is an understanding between players and management at Salzburg that players use the club as a stepping stone into more developed and competitive European leagues.
Many of Salzburg's burgeoning young talents - of which there are plenty - are signed from nations where the footballing infrastructure is weaker, such as countries on the African subcontinent or in Eastern Europe.
Salzburg act as a finishing school of sorts to these players, schooling them in the Red Bull model, before selling them on to teams in England, Germany, France and the Netherlands among others.
This also applies to players such as Aaronson making the move to Europe from Major League Soccer in the United States.
Young players moving to Europe from the States could scarcely pick a club more geared towards player development than the Austrian champions.
However, the average 20-year-old signing for the club from the US, Scandinavia or Africa does not spend a decade at the Red Bull Arena if they perform well.
This is largely to do with the status of the Austrian Bundesliga; it is a one-sided competition which Salzburg dominate, but the club do provide this platform of regular senior minutes to premium youngsters.
Austria's winter transfer window does not close until February 7, 2022, meaning Red Bull Salzburg can still bring in players from other countries where the market remains open.
Most recently, the club signed Ignace van der Brempt from Club Brugge in Belgium, widely accepted as the replacement for Rasmus Kristensen who is expected to be sold this summer.
Salzburger Nachrichten reports: "After the season ends, [Head Coach Matthias] Jaissle will likely have to plan without [Mohamed] Camara and [Brenden] Aaronson. Like Rasmus Kristensen and Karim Adeyemi, the two are about to change clubs. The champions have already found a successor for right-back Kristensen. The Bulls are set to sign Belgian Ignace Van der Brempt, who has also made six appearances in the Champions League, from Club Brugge."
Over the next six days, if Salzburg bring in a player similar to Aaronson, that could indicate their willingness to accept this summer as the optimum time to sell.
Signing replacements for current first-teamers before they leave is common practice at Salzburg. They have adopted this exact policy with the likes of Erling Haaland, Patson Daka and Karim Adeyemi in recent seasons.
When Haaland departed, Daka stepped in, and when Daka left last summer, Adeyemi has filled his starting spot.
Adeyemi is another expected to leave this summer, anticipated to be joining Borussia Dortmund. In his place, there are various players to take on his role, including Benjamin Sesko and Junior Adamu.
If Leeds intend to return with an offer for Aaronson in the summer, they would be wise to monitor the Austrian club's incoming business this week as a possible signal of intent.
