Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1205478
21 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 29 JANUARY 2020 SPORTS FOOTBALL MANCHESTER United's hunt for a striker suffered another blow after it was revealed that Jean-Kevin Augustin re- jected them in favour of a move to Leeds. The Athletic report that United reg- istered late interest in the RB Leipzig striker, but his move to Leeds was at an advanced stage and Augustin was keen on the Sky Bet Championship promo- tion hopefuls. The France Under-21 international, who spent the first half of the season on loan at Monaco, became Leeds' third signing during the January transfer win- dow when he signed on Monday. Leeds also hold the option to make the deal permanent, although that will de- pend upon securing promotion back to the Premier League. The Whites weren't the only side in- terested in bringing Augustin in though. Brighton, Crystal Palace and Newcastle are also said to have enquired about the forward. Manchester United were another who looked to secure a deal, but they were 'too late and too disorganised' in their process. Speaking to The Ornstein & Chapman Podcast, journalist David Ornstein re- vealed: "They (Leeds) conducted a highly impressive process. "Marcelo Bielsa was absolutely key to this because the agent of Augustin is al- so the agent of (Benjamin) Mendy and Mendy credits Bielsa with being abso- lutely fundamental to his development during a short time together at Marseille. "The relationship was there and the respect was there. Leeds conducted the process very diligently and thoroughly. "Whereas Manchester United came to the table, and others, far too late and in a far too disorganised way." Augustin progressed through PSG's youth system, making his first-team debut in April 2015, before making the switch to German outfit Leipzig for £11million in July 2017. He scored 20 goals in 67 appearances in all competitions for the Bundesliga club, those coming across the the German top-flight, Europa League and Champi- ons League among other cup competi- tions. Jean-Kevin Augustin snubs Manchester United for Leeds Jean-Kevin Augustin celebrates his goal in the Europa League against Marseille TOTTENHAM are closing in on the signing of winger Ste- ven Bergwijn after agreeing a deal with PSV Eindhoven. Spurs look set to bring in the Dutchman for £25.6million plus add-ons as a replacement for Christian Eriksen, whose transfer to Inter Milan should be concluded on Tuesday. The north London club are expected to recoup £17mil- lion for Eriksen, who would have been able to leave on a free transfer at the end of the season. Bergwijn is in London for a medical and to discuss per- sonal terms, with his Eredivi- sie club confirming on Tues- day that he was not training. The situation blew up on Sunday night when the 22-year-old, who is a Holland international, was left out of PSV's game with FC Twente. He was accused by the Dutch media of travelling to London without the club's permission, but manager Er- nest Faber later confirmed that it was sanctioned. Bergwijn will become Spurs' second signing of the transfer window following the earlier arrival of Benfica midfield- er Gedson Fernandes on an 18-month loan. The imminent arrival of the PSV man will not impact the search for a striker, which looks set to go down to the wire. Spurs are understood to be in discussions with AC Mi- lan over Krzysztof Piatek and have three days to get a deal done before Friday's deadline. Tottenham agree deal for winger Steven Bergwijn Tottenham have agreed a deal for Steven Bergwijn