Good Morning. It's Monday 27th January, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Poveda pens a four and a half year deal
Ian Poveda has penned a deal with the Whites keeping him at Elland Road until the Summer of 2024. The 19 year old fell out with Senior Management at the Etihad over the Christmas period over his first team status. Since then, a host of Serie A clubs (and Celtic) have been after his signature, but eventually the England U20 Winger / attacking midfielder chose West Yorkshire as his destination.
Poveda's style of play is similar to Saiz, and just like the former Real Madrid player, is not blessed with height. In fact Poveda is only 5ft 5in; the same height as Billy Bremner. Poveda told LUTV...
Although Leeds only had to part with £1m to secure the deal, which surely must be one of the deals of the season; there is a 30% sell on clause.I know Leeds won the league the year before it turned into the Premier League and I believe they should be back there.
I'm very excited to work under [Marcelo] Bielsa, I know he improves players and that's what I'm looking to do under his guidance.
No Pep talk from Guardiola
Pep Guardiola had no influence on the England U20 winger joining the Whites. There is no secret that the former Barcelona and Spanish legend has high admirations for Bielsa but assured the press (following their 4-0 drubbing of Fulham yesterday) that he hadn't spoken to Poveda since the bust up.
I don’t know. I didn’t speak with Ian, but anyway, either way it’s a really good decision for him. He’s young, he has to play. He was not able and Leeds United is an incredible challenge.
To be training with one of the best, maybe the best, managers in the world in terms of how he helps the players to be better players. He has an incredible power to develop. For the way Leeds play suits perfect for his qualities.
Bielsa's influence to lead to Augustin's signature
French U21 International Jean-Kevin Augustin should undergo a medical at Thorp Arch later today, as the 22 year old will sign on loan with the Whites until the end of the season. There is a compulsory clause that Leeds must buy him in the Summer for a set fee believed to be in the region of 15m
The former Paris Saint-Germain hitman signed for Bundesliga pace setters Leipzig for £11 in 2017, where he netted twelve times in his first season. He was sent out on season long loan to Monaco at the beginning of the season, but opportunities have been limited for the young French man.
Last Summer both Everton and Southampton were interested in the then £35m valued striker, but Augustin has agreed to make the move to West Yorkshire following a personal phone call from Bielsa himself. Augustin has represented France in every age group from U16 -U21 netting 24 times in total. French Giants Monaco tweeted last night that they had agreed to cut Augustin's loan agreement, and wished Leeds Utd good luck.