Leeds United news: Whelan reacts as Augustin joins Nantes

Jean-Kevin Augustin can be a great player for Nantes if he learns from the mistakes he made at Leeds United, according to Noel Whelan.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider correspondent Dylan Childs, the former Leeds ace and boyhood Whites supporter has urged the striker to re-find his drive, concentration and desire.

Agustin said (as reported by LeedsLive) after his move to Nantes: “Today, I am another man. I learned and I know that I will not make the same mistakes.”

The 23-year-old joined the Yorkshire giants on a loan-to-buy deal from RB Leipzig in January and the German side are adamant that the club owe them a transfer fee after securing promotion.

However, Leeds Live report that United insist that deal expired in June and the issue is now set to be resolved in a FIFA hearing.

In the meantime, Augustin joined French side Nantes on a free transfer.

Whelan told Football Insider: “I’d like to think he’s learnt from his mistakes and he’s kept his body in the fitness that’s required for a football player these days.

“The game has changed, you can’t be going in overweight. It takes a long time to catch that up.

“He’s got a lot of ability from what we’ve seen in clips and he didn’t even hit the peak of what was expected of him and that’s the disappointing thing.

“Sometimes you can get too comfortable. You can get too much money and you lose your focus.

“He needs to find that drive again and he’s been given an opportunity at Nantes and they’re hoping they can get the best out of him and if they do they’ve got a great player on their hands.

“But he must learn from his mistakes, he must find that drive and concentration and find that desire again in his mind and be professional off the field.”

In other Leeds United news, Football Insider can exclusively REVEAL that the Whites are working on signing a Derby County sensation in a beat-the-deadline deal.