MOT View: Latest Augustin reveal from Phil Hay shows striker is Leeds through and through
Jean-Kevin Augustin has enjoyed a great relationship with the Leeds United fans so far – and the bond will surely get even stronger after the latest reveal from Phil Hay.
The Athletic journalist revealed that Augustin – on massive wages of £90k-a-week at RB Leipzig – was the very first player to respond to Leeds’ request to defer wages.
Writing on The Atheltic, Hay said, “Promotion to the Premier League would oblige Leeds to sign him [Augustin] permanently from RB Leipzig and, by the club’s recent standards, the figures involved are eye-watering.
“Sources in Germany say activating the clause will cost around £18 million, matching the transfer record set when Rio Ferdinand came to Elland Road from West Ham United 20 years ago.
“Augustin’s salary at Leipzig is worth £90,000 a week and one of the key aspects of the wage deferral Leeds agreed with their squad after the COVID-19 shutdown was that the 22-year-old was the first player to respond to the proposal and accept it.”
That’s an incredible display of loyalty from a loan player who hasn’t even been given a start yet by Marcelo Bielsa.
There’s no suggestion that Leeds are paying all of his wages but we imagine that they will be picking up a significant sum.
We also don’t think it’s too much of a stretch to say that this makes the chances of him signing a permanent deal with Leeds much stronger.
Leeds have an obligation to buy him if they get into the Premier League but Augustin would have to agree to the move.
If Leeds get promoted then Augustin saying no would be the only thing that could stop the move.
The fact that he was the first to agree to a wage deferral is the sign of a player who wants a great relationship with the club and the fans.
From his early social media activity before he’d even signed, to interactions with the fans and a determination to get fit during lockdown, this latest snippet about Augustin is going to make Leeds fall in love with the striker all over again.
In other Leeds United news, ‘The league is ours’, ‘Brilliant’ – Some Leeds fans react as EFL contact Whites on Tues morning