Leeds United may be ‘potentially’ worried about their prospects of signing Red Bull Salzburg midfielder Brenden Aaronson following his recent outstanding performances, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The Whites were keen to secure a deal for the 21-year-old in the January transfer window but couldn’t match the Austrian champions’ valuation of their prized asset.

What is the latest news involving Aaronson?

According to The Athletic, Leeds saw a £15 million offer rejected by Salzburg for Aaronson last month as they didn’t want to weaken their side ahead of their Champions League clash against Bayern Munich.

Sky Sports then claimed the Elland Road outfit increased their offer to £20m for the 18-cap USA international, although that also fell short of his £30m price tag, meaning a deal was never reached.

However, reporter Phil Hay recently claimed ‘everyone’ believes Aaronson will be available for transfer when the market re-opens in the summer, while transfer insider Pete O’Rourke previously informed GiveMeSport that he ‘remains a top target’ for Leeds.

And the west Yorkshire outfit may have received a boost in their hopes of finally bringing the versatile star to English shores following the appointment of Jesse Marsch as Marcelo Bielsa’s successor.

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Marsch previously signed Aaronson for Salzburg after he departed Philadelphia Union, with the compatriots winning a domestic double together last term.  

Aaronson registered seven goals and five assists throughout his 25 appearances under the tutelage of Marsch and has continued his rapid rise at the Red Bull Arena following his former mentor's exit.

What has Jones said about Aaronson?

In an exclusive interview with GiveMeSport, Jones was asked if Aaronson’s impressive display against Munich in the first leg of their last-16 clash will have Leeds worried.

He told GMS: “Potentially, yeah. Aaronson's kind of bought himself some time by the fact that that transfer didn't go through in January.

“It gives him some thinking time to decide exactly what he wants his own path to be and make checks on the types of clubs that he could end up at.”

Should Leeds be worried over Aaronson?

The Athletic’s original report credited Salzburg’s sister club RB Leipzig with an interest in Aaronson, while Serie A giants AC Milan were also listed as potential suitors.

In the 1-1 draw against Munich, the attacking midfielder provided the assist for Chukwubuike Adamu’s opener and was awarded a WhoScored rating of 7.4, the second-highest received by an outfield Salzburg player.

Performances of that nature on a stage as big as the Champions League are likely to attract attention from heavyweight European sides and drive his price tag up, denting Leeds’s hopes of securing his signature.