Leeds United-oriented journalist Phil Hay has recently issued an update on the situation on Jean-Kevin Augustin.
On the latest episode of ‘The Phil Hay Show’, the journalists discussed many issues surrounding the Whites. While doing that, Hay focused on the situation of Augustin and he revealed that RB Leipzig still ‘expect’ Leeds to sign the striker on a permanent basis.
Augustin had initially joined Leeds from Leipzig on a loan deal back in the January transfer window. The Yorkshire club had revealed that the move was an ‘initial loan deal’ and that they had the option to sign the forward permanently as well.
While talking on the podcast, Hay revealed that Leipzig ‘expect’ Leeds to sign the player permanently in the summer transfer window.
Hay said: “So in Leipzig, they’re certainly expecting this to be a permanent deal. They’re expecting Leeds to take it up when the season ends and to pay somewhere in the region of £18-£20 million for him to make that deal happen.
Is it worth signing Augustin permanently?
There's no point
Yes, he's useful player
“At Leeds, I can’t help but feel that there is going to be some very, very serious thought given to this now. I think they will have a good hard look at the contract to see whether in fact they are obliged to do this, whether it is watertight and whether they are fully committed in the way that they are, for example with Helder Costa from Wolves.”
So while Leipzig do see Leeds making the move permanent at the end of the Championship season, there are clear doubts from the Whites about this.
TIF Thoughts…
Since arriving at Elland Road in January, Augustin has struggled for fitness. Last month, he had suffered a setback in training after having pulled up with an issue. It was believed to have been caused by a previous hamstring injury. On his arrival at the club, Augustin had missed three games due to the original hamstring injury as well.
Because of the injury issues, the Frenchman managed to make only three Championship appearances under Marcelo Bielsa. In total, he has played only 48 minutes of first-team football for the club (via Transfermarkt).
So clearly, Augustin’s fitness had hampered his progress at Leeds. And because of that, it is only right that the Whites are giving ‘serious thought’ to whether they should make his move permanent or not.