‘Unfortunately’ – Leeds chief makes definitive statement about £18m Jean-Kevin Augustin deal
Leeds United chief Angus Kinnear has said that Jean-Kevin Augustin will not be coming back to Elland Road in the future, saying, “Our position is very clear”.
He added that “unfortunately” Augustin couldn’t hit the levels that Marcelo Bielsa wanted from the striker.
That’s in direct contrast with comments from RB Leipzig sporting director Markus Krösche, who said Leeds were under a legal obligation to pay the £18m fee for the player.
Talking in an interview with The Square Ball podcast (45 min mark), Kinnear said, “Unfortunately, we thought we could have been just the right opportunity for Jean-Kevin Augustin at the right time.
“Unfortunately, it just didn’t work out, it didn’t fit with what Marcelo wanted in training, I don’t think Jean-Kevin could step up to the level we wanted him to.
“So, he’s moved back to RB Leipzig and he’s not a player who’s going to feature for Leeds United anymore.”
Asked where that left Leeds in relation to the £18m obligation to buy, Kinnear said, “Our position is very clear, we want Jean-Kevin to be successful, but it’s not going to be at Leeds United and we’re very clear on that.
“There might be some more discussions but our position won’t change.”
Big Kev, big flop
So that’s that. We’ve heard reports that Augustin wouldn’t be returning to Elland Road but that’s official confirmation that his move lasted all of 48 minutes on the pitch.
Augustin didn’t score a goal, broke down with an injury twice and will, unfortunately, go down as one of the worst Leeds transfers ever.
Leeds are not for budging and while there may be some legal discussions, Kinnear has confirmed that the club will not be picking up his registration.
We’ve long thought that there might have to be some compromise to find a solution and it could involve Leeds paying an extra fee on top of the loan fee they’ve already paid RB Leipzig.
It’s unlikely that the Bundesliga side will let this one go completely.
However, Leeds fans don’t have to worry about it anymore. Athletic journalist Phil Hay has said that, whether happens, it won’t affect how much Leeds have to spend on new players this summer.
In other Leeds United news, ‘Suspect an announcement is imminent’ – Exclusive: Pundit expects Leeds to land ‘big coup’ soon