Leeds News

Report: Leeds United could lose first-team player suffering Elland Road nightmare this summer

|
Image for Report: Leeds United could lose first-team player suffering Elland Road nightmare this summer

Leeds United could lose the services of Jean-Kevin Augustin in the summer regardless of our efforts to secure Premier League football, according to Football Insider.

Augustin joined Marcelo Bielsa’s quests to bring top-flight football back to Elland Road in January, with the club agreeing to pay the remaining €2million (£1.7m) of AS Monaco’s loan fee, having had the Frenchman in the Principality for the first half of the term.

Our agreement with Augustin’s parent side RB Leipzig has long been said to also include a mandatory purchase clause of €21m (£18.6m), which would be triggered should the 2019/20 season end with United in the top-two of the Championship standings or victorious in the Play-Offs.

However, Football Insider are now suggesting that the obligational purchase clause may not come into effect this summer, even if we do secure promotion, as Augustin will have the final say on whether he moves to West Yorkshire permanently or not.

Would you care if Augustin turned down a permanent move?

Yes, I want him to stay

Yes, I want him to stay

No, he hasn't done enough

No, he hasn't done enough

Augustin has suffered a nightmare start to life in England, having only been able to make three substitute appearances before being sent to the physio’s room for treatment on a hamstring injury.

The issue has kept the 5 ft 9 forward from featuring in our last three league matchday squads, while the three outings he managed only returned 48 minutes of football and no goals to show for his work.

Bielsa has not necessarily missed having Augustin alongside him in the dugout in recent weeks, either, with United winning each game where the former U21 international has not been involved in the action.

With the coronavirus outbreak now suspending all Championship fixtures until April 3, Augustin will have a chance to regain some of his lost fitness and hopefully reach the end of his injury absence to be able to help our efforts in the closing stages of the season.

Should Bielsa look fondly on Augustin and the Frenchman score plenty of goals, he may be more than willing to greenlight a permanent move to Elland Road and put this nightmare far behind him.

In other Leeds United news, Director of Football Victor Orta has been urged to sign a £7.2m-rated man this summer.

Share this article