Leeds eyeing £18m-rated "monster" in summer swoop, he'd be Marsch's dream signing - opinion

Leeds United remain interested in Brenden Aaronson this summer and it would be something of a dream signing for manager Jesse Marsch at Elland Road.

The ever-reliable Phil Hay of The Athletic has delivered a fresh update on the situation and the Whites’ stance on the RB Salzburg attacking midfielder after seeing two bids knocked back for him during the January transfer window.

“The intention is, or certainly was, to bid again for Aaronson. He’s interested in the move, he’s played under Jesse Marsch before and Salzburg are likely to be more open to bids in the summer than they were in January,” he revealed during an online Q&A with supporters.

An offer of £20m wasn’t enough to secure him earlier in the year but that was largely because the Austrian champions had a crucial two-legged encounter with Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

Their view is likely to change in the summer as historically they have been a selling club, moving on the likes of Erling Haaland, Patson Daka, Sadio Mane and Dominik Szoboszlai for big profits.

Now valued at £18m by Transfermarkt, Aaronson would be the perfect upgrade to Marsch’s midfield ahead of next season, which after back-to-back wins seems likely to be in the Premier League.

The 21-year-old gem is an absolute workhorse at the peak of the engine room, where he likes to press the opposition’s defence in an attempt to make them lose possession, and he’s one of the best across Europe in this regard.

As per FBRef, Aaronson ranks in the top 1% for players in a similar role for pressures in the final third (10.46 per 90) and tackles in the final third (0.5 per 90).

He has also delivered five goals and ten assists across 35 appearances and that includes a phenomenal effort