A fresh transfer report has emerged this week surrounding one of Leeds United’s mooted transfer targets.
Turkish outlet Aksam, via Sport Witness, claim that the west Yorkshire outfit are poised to make a bid for Besiktas striker Cyle Larin this summer.
It’s claimed that the Whites are huge admirers of the centre-forward and have long been linked with making a move for him in recent months.
Larin has returned to Istanbul following a loan spell with Belgian side Zulte Waregem, where he provided nine goals and 11 assists in 33 appearances, via Transfermarkt.
Who would you rather sign this summer?
Jean-Kevin Augustin
Cyle Larin
In addition, the report claims that Leeds could offer just €2.2m (£2m) for his services, which is likely to be accepted by the Super Lig giants as the club suffering financial trouble.
The 25-year-old has already amassed 31 caps for his national side, Canada, and has featured in the Major Soccer League for Orlando City.
This could be a smart move from Marcelo Bielsa and Victor Orta – if the claim is indeed accurate.
Larin has been lauded as a “natural goalscorer” by former teammate Jonathan Spector and also claimed that “Once he gets in those positions it’s so difficult to get around on the other side of him. He knows that and he’s very clever in how he manipulates his body and the players around him.”
There’s rising uncertainty over January’s loan arrival Jean-Kevin Augustin after he picked up yet another injury, as per Phil Hay.
Hearing that Jean-Kevin Augustin has suffered a recurrence of his hamstring strain. Not confirmed by Leeds but sounds like a set-back for him. #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) June 10, 2020
The RB Leipzig forward has managed just three substitute appearances since his move, playing a total of 48 minutes.
At Monaco as well as the Bundesliga side, Augustin has struggled with persistent niggles and injuries so the decision to be tied to an £18m obligation, if promoted, is looking like a disaster waiting to happen.
If he can’t cope with Bielsa’s rigorous fitness regimes now, then surely he’s never going to fully get going.
It remains to be seen whether or not Leeds can get out of this clause, particularly as Augustin is going to barely contribute to our likely promotion, but subtlely swooping for Larin at just £2m would give us reason to forget about the Frenchman’s situation.
And having three forwards in the top-flight is going to do more good than harm, that’s for certain.
What do you think? Should Leeds try to land Larin this summer?