Southampton have been linked with RB Leipzig striker Jean-Kevin Augustin.
Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has told Sky Sports that he thinks RB Leipzig striker Jean-Kevin Augustin has ‘got qualities’ – but wouldn’t confirm his interest.
The Saints are likely to want one or two additions this month to supplement Hasenhuttl’s squad as they continue to battle against the drop.
Offloading the likes of Fraser Forster and Wesley Hoedt may be a priority, whilst Steven Davis and Manolo Gabbiadini have already moved on.
Hasenhuttl has been linked with RB Leipzig stars already having only left his role as manager there are the end of last season, and Augustin is the latest.
The Sun reported only yesterday that Southampton are battling Everton and Wolves for the signature of Leipzig’s French attacker Augustin, though the huge fee is an issue.
Leipzig are understood to want £38million for Augustin, and it’s hugely, hugely unlikely that Southampton would get anywhere close to that asking price.
Augustin, 21, worked under Hasenhuttl last season and scored 11 goals, whilst he has notched six times this season and has six goals in nine caps for French’s Under-21’s.
The pacey forward has a huge future ahead of him, and Hasenhuttl admitted that he rates Augustin highly, but won’t go into great depth about Southampton pursuing his signature.
“It’s nice that you know we are linked with this guy! I don’t want to explain if it is [true] or not,” said Hasenhuttl. “I know Jean-Kevin very well. I think every player I know well is linked with us.”
“He has got qualities, he is quick, can score and is used to the high-pressing methods we use, so that would help him if he would be here. But he isn’t and I don’t want to discuss any players that are linked with us. If there is a player who has signed, we will tell you,” he added.
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