Leeds United: Noel Whelan in disbelief over Che Adams bid before recent Jean-Kevin Augustin arrival

Former Leeds United forward Noel Whelan has expressed his disbelief after the Whites were reportedly knocked back following a £20m bid for Southampton striker Che Adams.

BBC Radio Leeds reported last week that the Saints had turned down the Whites’ latest offer, while the club have since brought in Jean-Kevin Augustin on a loan deal until the end of the season from RB Leipzig.

Speaking prior to Leeds confirming their latest signing, Whelan bemoaned the fact Marcelo Bielsa’s side were unsuccessful in their dogged pursuit of the 23-year-old striker.

He told BBC Radio Leeds (via MOT Leeds News): “I do find it strange that £20m for Che Adams, who cost them £15m, has done pretty much nothing at Southampton, they don’t see that as a tempting deal.”

On the ever-changing nature of the transfer window, he continued: “Yeah it’s mad, and people make decisions. They could get another striker through the door, we don’t know that, which then allows that freedom for Che Adams and for Leeds United to pursue that avenue.”

It appears that Leeds’ failure to lure Adams to Elland Road has brought about their recent loan capture of Augustin – with Bielsa recently confirming there will be no more arrivals this winter. Since the main difference between the two deals is the fee, it looks as though a more pragmatic attitude has taken hold with time running out in January to source a striker and aid the Whites’ ailing attack.

With their only goal since the turn of the year being an own goal, Leeds’ attacking woes seem pretty clear. Whether ex-striker Whelan will be relieved at the club’s eventual move for an additional forward remains to be seen, though there are surely positives to finally bringing in an extra goal source for a substantially smaller price.

If Augustin can fire Leeds to promotion in the months to come, the unsuccessful attempts to haul in Adams could yet turn out to be a blessing, though on the flip-side, missing out on a player with plenty of Championship experience could be all the more gutting if Leeds are to spend another season in the second tier.

That could explain Whelan’s incredulity over Southampton’s refusal to sell with Leeds in dire need of a striker, though the latest developments may offer some light relief with Bielsa securing another target.

Leeds fans, could Augustin turn out to be a smarter buy than Adams? Share your thoughts below!