RB Leipzig want 5% interest from Leeds United after four-hour Augustin talks in Switzerland
By Jake Tomkinson
RB Leipzig are confident that a deal can be struck in the transfer saga with Leeds United over former striker Jean-Kevin Augustin, according to Sport Buzzer.
The German news outlet reports that Leipzig believe Leeds owe them £17.6million (€21million), due to an obligation to buy clause in the 24-year-old’s previous loan agreement at Elland Road.
Augustin made just three appearances for Leeds during the promotion-winning campaign from the Championship in 2019/20, however the striker failed to find the back of the net in an injury-hit spell at Elland Road.
A four-hour hearing was conducted on Tuesday (15 March) at the CAS International Sports Court in Lausanne, and now RB Leipzig are waiting to hear the results.
Commercial Director at RB Leipzig Florian Scholz was quoted by Sport Buzzer as saying: “RB Leipzig once again clearly deposited their points in the hearing before the CAS.
“We still believe that we are right and therefore are very confident about the written verdict.”
Despite the confidence from those within RB Leipzig, the chances of this hearing being resolved quickly are still minimal, with the verdict probably still months away.
FIFA have already agreed with Leipzig that an obligation to buy was in the contract, however, Leipzig are demanding that a five per cent interest per year should be included due to the delay in payment.
The Paris Saint-Germain youth product was seen as a promising young striker, but his career has stalled since moving to Leipzig and now the Frenchman plies his trade for Nantes in the French Ligue 1.
Robbed?
Augustin played just 48 minutes for Leeds during his loan spell, and the striker showed very little during those minutes he got on the pitch.
He spent a lot of the time injury and was ultimately sent back to Leipzig and is now playing for Nantes.
Despite all this, the conclusion looks set, and Leeds might have to pay the £17.6million, plus interest, that Leipzig believe they are due.
With FIFA’s backing, it’s going to be hard for Leeds to find a way out of the deal, and if the obligation was included despite Leeds claim for extenuating circumstances, then the payment is the only fair way to go about things.
£17.6million is a lot of money to spend on a player that is no longer associated to the club, and it would be harsh on Leeds to lose out on a large sum of money, which could go on one or two key signings in the summer.
In other Leeds United news, a new injury worry at Elland Road could not have come at a worse time for this player.