Leeds: Marsch has 'advantage' in swoop for £12m star at Elland Road

The connections of Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch are ‘giving him an advantage’ in the transfer market, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

Marsch has already signed two of his former players from Red Bull Salzburg this summer and has been linked with a third in the shape of Junior Adamu in recent days.

The American tactician was in charge of Salzburg for two years between 2019 and 2021, winning two domestic doubles before departing for their sister club RB Leipzig.

However, things didn’t work out for Marsch at the Bundesliga outfit, and he replaced Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds back in February and has already begun to stamp his mark on the first-team squad.

Attacking midfielder Brenden Aaronson was the first to join his compatriot’s revolution in west Yorkshire, arriving for £22.2 million before right-back Rasmus Kristensen followed quickly after.

According to Sky Sports, Leeds fended off competition from Borussia Dortmund for Kristensen’s signature, wrapping up a £10m deal for the player who featured 64 times under Marsch at the Red Bull Arena.

Meanwhile, Sky Sports Austria claim Leeds are one of several sides eager to snap up Adamu following an impressive 2021/22 campaign, meaning Marsch may not be done raiding his former employers just yet.

O’Rourke believes Marsch’s tactic of targeting players he has previously worked with is proving particularly advantageous in his transfer dealings.

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He told GiveMeSport: “Jesse Marsch is going back to players that he’s worked with before, and it’s obviously giving him an advantage over other clubs who were interested in these players as well.

“I think Leeds beat Borussia Dortmund to Kristensen’s