As per L’Equipe, Leeds are closing to signing Jean-Kevin Augustin on loan from RB Leipzig.
What’s the story?
The 22-year-old is already in the middle of a loan spell at AS Monaco, but that move is so far yet to work out. In 10 Ligue 1 matches for the club, he has failed to score a single goal.
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According to the French outlet, a deal could be completed within the coming hours that would see the attacker arrive at Elland Road. Echoing similar sentiment, The Daily Mail claim Leeds are indeed closing in on a loan deal.
Potential
The last two campaigns have been something of a disappointment for the 22-year-old – last term, he only managed three goals in 17 Bundesliga matches, although he did manage eight in all competitions – and the goal tally for this year previously mentioned is far from eye-catching.
He also has some disciplinary issues that may be a red flag to the Elland Road outfit – he was even suspended during the 2018/19 season due to his behaviour before Die Rotenbullen’s 3-2 defeat against RB Salzburg in the Europa League.
Beneath all of that, though, is a player who has real potential. He made his debut as a 17-year-old for PSG, a team full to the brim with attacking quality, and Leipzig decided to part with €13m (£11m) to take him there in 2017. At the U19 European Championships in 2016, he outscored Kylian Mbappe (five), managing six goals in five games on his way to winning the Team of the Tournament. That same year, Lionel Messi even included him on a list of 10 youngsters who will make it big in the game in the future.
At 22 years of age, he still has plenty of football left in him, and he is crying out for someone to show him some trust – under Leonardo Jardim and Roberto Moreno this term, he has started just two matches in the French top flight – and Marcelo Bielsa could be that man.
The Argentinian’s influence and know-how may be exactly what the former France U21 international needs to kick on. Given his experience in three of Europe’s top five leagues, he could take to the Championship like a duck to water. If Leeds do complete this deal as predicted, he may be the man to fire them to the promised land.
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