Leeds United appear set to make a major splash before Friday’s transfer deadline as Phil Hay reports that their move for Jean-Kevin Augustin is edging closer and closer.
What’s he said?
Marcelo Bielsa’s quest to clinch a new striker could soon be coming to an end as reports suggest that he has managed to convince the RB Leipzig frontman to join the club.
It’s believed that Augustin will undergo a medical at Elland Road today ahead of a loan switch with an obligation to buy should the Whites earn promotion this campaign.
The ever-reliable Hay was asked on Twitter about the potential move, to which he responded:
The Athletic’s club correspondent then provided a further update a short while later, suggesting that the deal has been set in motion with Monaco agreeing to terminate his current loan.
Hay added:
Calculated risk
It is no secret that Leeds are in dire need of further attacking options if they are to truly compete with West Brom at the top of the Championship table after Arsenal recalled Eddie Nketiah over a lack of game time.
Patrick Bamford often gets the nod for Bielsa, and he has repaid him with ten goals in 29 appearances, but that number could have been far greater – you’d imagine – if he could convert more chances.
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The Yorkshiremen have had the joint-most shots at goal (196) in the Championship this campaign and have only converted 21.9% of them, ranking fourth from bottom, per Transfermarkt.
A move for Che Adams has been proving too challenging to pursue, leading to Victor Orta and co looking elsewhere in the shape of Augustin.
This comes as a high-risk option, but ultimately it is one with high reward, should the season pan out how they want it to.
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The 22-year-old has only played 532 minutes of football for Monaco since joining on loan in the summer and has scored on one occasion. He may need time to get up to the speed of English football.
It’s a win-win for Bielsa as if they do not gain promotion come May, they won’t have to fork out a fee for the Frenchman.
And in other news, Leeds’ prospective new owners may have just proven why they are the right men to lead the club to glory…