Kieran Maguire issues ‘mystery’ Leeds United claim amid new twist in legal drama
It will likely never be revealed how much the Jean-Kevin Augustin saga has cost Leeds United.
That is the view of finance guru Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about what is likely to be the final development in the case surrounding the 25-year-old striker.
Augustin signed for Leeds on loan from RB Leipzig in January 2020, with a clause in the Frenchman’s contract stipulating that the West Yorkshire side had an obligation to buy if they achieved promotion that season.
But the player was a flop at Elland Road and Leeds argued that because promotion was achieved after the traditional end-of-season date due to pandemic lockdown, the clause was null and void.
FIFA rejected this notion and ordered Leeds to pay Leipzig in full.
A source told Football Insider in October that Leeds were set to lose their Court of Arbitration for Sport appeal against the governing body’s ruling.
That decision has later been confirmed, but Leeds released a statement on Monday (5 December) claiming that they had reached an “amicable settlement” with Leipzig.
Maguire insists that supported will never know the exact details of the payment plan between the two clubs.
“The Augustin outstanding transfer issue is likely to cost Leeds money,” he told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“How much money exactly will probably remain a mystery. We probably aren’t going to see those details, at least not in any official capacity.
“They have probably taken some form of counsel’s advice. They will have been told that the chances of winning the case are less than 50-50.
“The logical thing, therefore, is to reach a settlement that minimises the amount of cash they have to hand across to RB Leipzig.”
In other news, insider claims Patrick Bamford in “red zone” and facing new setback after “concerning” Leeds United development.