da cassino： Leeds’ promotion bid has been bolstered by the multiple loan players in the squad, and that means the club has some important decisions to make in the summer regardless of whether they are is promoted or not.
da betcris： The likes of Ben White and Jack Harrison have impressed in their temporary stints, while the Whites’ more recent signing – Jean-Kevin Augustin – could also stay beyond the summer.
His two loan spells this campaign, having also spent time at Monaco, suggests he isn’t wanted by RB Leipzig, and though Leeds are obligated to sign the striker if they go up, it is the option of the club to make his stay permanent if they remain in the Championship.
Given Marcelo Bielsa rates the player highly, that may seem like the Yorkshire outfit is in a privileged position, but the reported €21m (£18.3m) fee that it would take to bring the Frenchman to Elland Road makes the move less attractive.
As a result, we asked our team of writers if it would be wise for the Whites to sign him if still competing in the Championship, and here’s what they had to say.
Viji Jeevathalayan
“If Leeds somehow fluff their lines once again and end up missing out on promotion, then they should kiss goodbye to signing Augustin permanently.
“The Frenchman would represent a solid addition for a Premier League side who could perhaps afford taking a gamble on big-money signings, but for a team in the Championship, shelling out a considerable fee is not quite that simple.
The Whites would have to be a lot shrewder in the transfer market, and source out the best deals possible. Splashing the cash on a player who has featured just three times in the Championship would be a major mistake from Victor Orta.
“This is a deal that hinges solely on whether Leeds can return to the promised land of the Premier League. If they can’t, then they should walk away from signing Augustin on a permanent basis.”
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Matt Dawson
“If Leeds fail to go up but still sign Jean-Kevin Augustin on a permanent transfer then it could have disastrous consequences for the club. The fact of the matter is that the Whites are held down by large financial restrictions and as a result, were forced to sign players strictly on loan last summer. That won’t get any easier this year either when they finally commit the £15m they’re due to pay Wolves to sign Helder Costa on a permanent basis. Add to that that they’ll have to pay £5m for Illan Meslier if he plays ten matches and that’s already £20m Victor Orta has waved out the door.
“Augustin simply doesn’t fit Bielsa’s taste, regardless of fitness and the 49 minutes he’s played since arriving at Elland Road is evidence of that. For the potential fee touted, it fails to make much sense. Leeds would have to pay €21m (£18.3m) in order to land the Frenchman but if they are going to spend any money on one of their loanees, it should be Jack Harrison. The Man City winger could cost £8m but he’s been one of their players of the season, registering seven assists and five goals.”
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Billy Meyers
“The sort of cash reported could potentially buy you about three or four top-class Championship players if you look in the right places – for example, 15-goal Nahki Wells cost Bristol City a sum of £5m, while Nottingham Forest paid £6m for Lewis Grabban who has 17 goals this season.
“In that respect, Leeds shelling out a sum of almost £20m for Augustin would be crazy unless the former Paris Saint-Germain has a whirlwind finale to the campaign which makes it impossible not to sign him.
“Additionally, if it does turn out that Marcelo Bielsa’s side don’t go up into the Premier League, it wouldn’t be a deal that makes sense financially either – perhaps his lack of action and impact at Elland Road could be ignored if Leeds are blessed with top-flight cash, but if they remain in the Championship, they should mark this transfer with a red cross.”
Kealan Hughes
“While there is a natural concern over the cost of the striker, he could be that missing element Leeds need if they miss out on promotion this term.
“The Championship has not yet seen the best of what he has to offer due to his fitness issues but there have been glimpses of his tremendous pace. That can often be a very effective attribute in this division, while it also suits Leeds’ counter-attacking ability.
“Augustin has played for some top clubs in Europe so is clearly highly regarded and at 22-years-old he is only likely to develop, particularly as he will be under the tutelage of Bielsa.
“Signing him ahead of promotion and giving him a year to develop could help him prepare for Premier League life, and Leeds would be all the better for it.”
In other Leeds news, fans have been reacting to the possibility of signing another player as the club prepares for next season…