Leeds United dispute with RB Leipzig no barrier to Brenden Aaronson pursuit
The legal dispute between Leeds United and RB Leipzig over Jean-Kevin Augustin will not affect their attempts to sign Brenden Aaronson, reports Beren Cross.
The Whites have a date set for March 15 at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) regarding payment to the German side for the now-Nantes striker, while their American transfer target plays for Red Bull Salzburg who are under the same ownership.
But despite this, and having an initial bid of £15million rejected by Red Bull Salzburg (The Athletic), Leeds are reportedly confident in continuing their pursuit of the 21-year-old.
Reporting on Leeds Live, Cross writes that “United have no concerns the club’s ongoing legal dispute with RB Leipzig will affect their dealings with Salzburg.”
Awkward situation
It is surprising that the Yorkshire side are so confident that there will be no ramifications from the protracted wrangling over the French forward, considering around £18million is at stake (Leeds Live).
The ex-PSG man came to Elland Road on loan in 2020 but barely featured before returning to Germany.
However, there had been a clause in his loan deal that stipulated an obligation to make the deal permanent should the Whites be promoted to the Premier League at the end of that season, which they famously were.
United argued that this obligation had been nullified by the Covid-19 pandemic extending the season past its usual end point, and as such they had not been promoted by the date expected in the contract.
FIFA’s initial ruling was in favour of the Bundesliga side but further business may be conducted between the two boards, albeit in relation to different franchises under the Red Bull banner, before the dispute has been finalised by CAS.
Business disputes have the potential to get messy in any setting and it is hard to believe that there is not going to be a slight lack of trust in negotiations over Aaronson, even if different individuals are involved in the talks.
If differences can be put aside then it is a positive sign for Leeds as they chase the USA international midfielder.
In other Leeds United news, an injury has halted the club’s plans to sign this international player.