Victor Orta has admitted that he is proud that he was able to bring Jean-Kevin Augustin to Leeds United, with the Director of Football at Elland Road revealing there was minimal hope about landing the 22-year-old.
Leeds were on the lookout for a striker heading into January after it became clear that Eddie Nketiah would be heading back to Arsenal after an underwhelming loan spell.
And, eventually, the Whites settled on pursuing Augustin in a deal that Orta had minimal hope about landing.
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Augustin is on the books at RB Leipzig and had been on loan with Monaco earlier in the season, albeit unsuccessfully. Additionally, he’d played minutes in the PSG first-team, underlining just how high-profile he is.
However, despite doubts in the Elland Road boardroom about landing the Frenchman, Leeds got the loan deal done, with the option there to sign Augustin permanently.
Revealing his pride in securing the deal, Orta told The Scouted Hub: “When I have the minimal hope about Augustin in terms of availability, I say wow, if there is a minimum chance, I want to explore. And to be honest, I feel proud that this has happened."
Augustin made just three substitute appearances before the EFL’s forced postponement, but a break of almost three months has offered him the chance to get fully fit and be available to Marcelo Bielsa for the run-in.
Images have emerged of a trimmed Augustin at Thorp Arch training ahead of the season’s resume later this month.
The VerdictÂ
Augustin is a high-profile name and it shocked many people when Leeds were able to land a deal for the 22-year-old given his pedigree.
Of course, he hasn’t had the impact expected of him so far, but there’s definitely potential there for Leeds to see the best of Augustin in the remaining nine games of the season.
When you hear Orta talk like this, it fills you with that little bit more confidence that this deal will be a success.
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