Sport Bild makes significant new claim about Jean-Kevin Augustin transfer to Leeds
Both Leeds United and Jean-Kevin Augustin have agreed terms on an £18.5m (€21m) permanent transfer if the club is promoted.
That’s the significant new claim made by German outlet Sport Bild on Wednesday (via Transfermarkt).
They say that the terms of the deal were agreed by both parties before the COVID-19 outbreak.
This contradicts what was said by Athletic journalist Phil Hay in March. He said that the contract wasn’t “done and dusted” and that he didn’t know what would happen if Augustin didn’t want to make the move.
The RB Leipzig striker has only played 48 minutes of football since signing and is still looking for his first start for the club.
The Augustin gamble
If this report is true then Augustin will be a Leeds player next season, if the Championship is finished and we go on to secure promotion.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Augustin is a player who was worth a lot more than £18.5m a year ago.
According to reports in France Everton were set to make a £35m (€40m) offer for the striker, although a move didn’t materialise.
It is a big gamble though. Marcelo Bielsa is said to be a fan and he targeted Augustin specifically, but his career hasn’t panned out the way the striker would have wanted.
He’s flopped at RB Leipzig and Monaco, and he certainly hasn’t set the world alight at Leeds.
He’s still looking for match fitness and all eyes will be on him when Leeds return to action.
Augustin has been at Thorp Arch while other players have been training at home, working on sprint mechanics.
The flip side of the gamble is that Leeds could get a player who is potentially world-class for under £20m. Time will tell on which side the coin lands.
In other Leeds United news, Financial expert details huge Leeds losses under Radrizzani and extra £20m payouts if promoted