Leeds United are already making plans for next season after being linked with midfielder Brenden Aaronson. The American is of the same nationality as Jesse Marsch and played under the Leeds manager at Red Bull Salzburg in the Austrian Bundesliga.
Known predominantly for being an offensive midfielder who likes to run with the ball and will provide competition for Klich and Adam Forshaw, who was sidelined for the majority of the season through injury.
As reported by Sky Sports; there was a “total agreement” between Leeds and Salzburg for Aaronson.
"Red Bull Salzburg midfielder Brenden Aaronson is undergoing a medical at Leeds ahead of a move to Elland Road.Earlier this week, Sky Sports Germany reported 21, to head to Yorkshire in a deal worth between £23.7m and £25.4m."
In a statement to the fans after Premier League survival was guaranteed chairman Andrea Radrizanni reassured them plans were already underway to improve the squad following a complex and somewhat disruptive second season in the top flight.
Leeds United Target: Brenden Aaronson
Aaronson made 26 appearances out of 32 in the league as his side won the title, finishing comfortably clear of second-place SK Sturm Graz. The club are set to make a healthy profit on him, after purchasing him for just £4.9 million from Philadelphia Union in 2020. His brother Paxton Aaronson also plays for the MLS outfit.
His nickname “the Medford Messi” gives supporters hope of a successful signing as he is set to become Marsch’s first addition in a rebuilding job which is set to continue into the 2022-23 season. Various media outlets reported that Leeds United tried to sign him in the January transfer window but a £15 million bid was rejected.
With other players set to leave this summer, the manager must be given assurances he will have funding to make adjustments to the team. A plus for the Whites is that players such as Cody Drameh will be returning after a successful loan spell at Cardiff in which he was named their Player and Young Player of the Season.
Jesse Marsch, a former midfielder himself, will be looking to fit him into his system and allow him to flourish in a squad where expression and invention were sometimes missing throughout the team last season.
He admitted there is a lot of work to do as they aim to banish memories like the stressful last 20 minutes they found themselves in at Brentford Community Stadium.