Leeds now chasing late January move for 'outstanding' Aaronson alternative - report

Leeds United are interested in signing Liverpool forward Takumi Minamino on loan before Monday’s deadline.

The Whites are running out of time to make any January additions but one player who could still potentially arrive is the Japan international attacker.

Indeed, Minamino has been linked with a move to Elland Road in recent days, with Liverpool’s incoming signing of Luis Diaz putting him further down the pecking order.

A new update has now emerged, suggesting Leeds could turn to the Reds playmaker in the next 24 hours due to stalling talks for Brenden Aaronson.

According to The Daily Mail, the Whites are looking to sign Minamino on loan until the end of the season, providing Marcelo Bielsa with another body in attack.

With Leeds’ move for Aaronson reportedly at an ‘impasse’, the Liverpool man is being looked at this month instead.

Minamino has struggled to make the grade at Liverpool, only managing 49 appearances since arriving from RB Salzburg two years ago, with more illustrious names keeping him out of the team.

He is a talented footballer who could be a shrewd signing by Leeds however, with a loan deal now making perfect sense. Phil Hay has confirmed the Whites are willing to wait until the summer to sign Aaronson, so should Minamino fail to impress in a temporary stint, they can simply replace him with the American once the season ends.

Minamino has been hailed as ‘outstanding’ by Jurgen Klopp – having netted six times in all competitions this season, so he should be able to provide that extra bit of creativity and end product Leeds are currently missing until they can try again for Aaronson.

The Japan starlet would give Bielsa the added firepower that he needs between now and May, especially with Patrick Bamford