Manuel Pellegrini may have been fearing the summer with Marko Arnautovic, Javier Hernandez, Lucas Perez and Andy Carroll all expected to move on from the London Stadium, and with it leave the boss frantically searching for an entirely new attacking line-up.
The Chilean has been given a huge boost, however, as Kicker have claimed RB Leipzig are open to selling the £18million-rated Jean-Kevin Augustin as part of their own mini-clear out.
The 5 ft 8 forward, who represented France at various youth levels, had also emerged as a potential Hammers candidate in recent weeks, when the Daily Mail suggested he, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Edin Dzeko and Daniel Sturridge were all possible targets.
Unfortunately, he has also been linked with Everton, with Calciomercato noting in March that the 21-year-old was the Toffees number one target.
News that Augustin will be on the German outfit’s chopping block – along with Bruma and Stefan Ilsanker – would be a boost to the Goodison Park natives as well, then, with the trio said to have lost their connection with the rest of the Leipzig side, and are not expected to be a part of Julian Nagelsmann’s plans upon his arrival.
With Leipzig also expected to lose Timo Werner, Augustin had the chance to become the main man at the Red Bull Arena, having only started 10% of their Bundesliga games this season.
The Frenchman has scored three goals in the German top-tier from his 382 minutes on the field, though. But, those strikes came at the beginning of the season while he was starting games for the Bulls – Augustin has not featured in Leipzig’s last five matches, two of which did not include the pacey attacker on the teamsheet.
