Everton are reportedly keen on Jean-Kevin Augustin.
Marcel Brands has enjoyed a strong start to life as Everton’s director of football, making a host of great signings to really boost the Goodison Park squad.
Lucas Digne, Andre Gomes and Richarlison have been outstanding, whilst Bernard, Kurt Zouma and Yerry Mina have at least shown glimpses of their quality.
Everton may be in the market for more signings in January, and a striker should be a priority given Cenk Tosun’s struggles and the fact that Richarlison is playing out of position in attack.
The Sun reported on Sunday that Everton are keen on RB Leipzig forward Jean-Kevin Augustin, though the £38million fee may be a problem.
It’s noted that Everton may have to offer up Ademola Lookman in a part-exchange deal to try and land the Frenchman, but Brands shouldn’t be giving up the youngster for Augustin.
Augustin is a young, pacey forward with great potential, but so is Lookman. Yes, Augustin is maybe more rounded right now, but why give up one young forward just to get another one?
Lookman has shown real promise this season, and whilst he needs to be developed so he can contribute as a starter rather than as an impact substitute, Everton should keep working with such an impressive young player rather than giving him up to then try an develop another one.
Looking further ahead, Everton will need English players for homegrown quotas in Europe, and that’s when a player like Lookman can be so valuable, rather than giving up a top English talent so easily.
Lookman may at least fancy a return to Leipzig having starred on loan there last season, but whilst Augustin scored 11 goals last season, Brands shouldn’t be allowing Lookman to leave Everton in such a deal.
If it was for RB Leipzig teammate Timo Werner though, that may be a different matter entirely…
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