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Report: Warning of Leeds United transfer embargo emerges as club sweat on legal decision

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Image for Report: Warning of Leeds United transfer embargo emerges as club sweat on legal decision

Leeds United will find out today whether they must pay RB Leipzig €21million following a legal dispute over Jean-Kevin Augustin’s proposed transfer in 2020.

The Whites have not had much joy when it’s come to the January transfer window in recent seasons.

Perhaps the best (or worst) example of this is the failed stint that Jean-Kevin Augustin endured at the club during the 2019/20 season.

The French striker signed on loan from RB Leipzig in January 2020 to provide competition for Patrick Bamford up front, but could only muster three substitute appearances amidst a string of frustrating injuries.

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He left Leeds upon the expiry of his loan as Marcelo Bielsa’s men then went on to clinch promotion without him.

However, a reported €21million (£18m) obligation-to-buy upon promotion has been disputed ever since with Leeds seemingly looking to wriggle out of the deal based on the dates of the clause, with Leeds’ Championship campaign pushed back to the end of July.

However, following a ruling in RB Leipzig’s favour, Leeds have appealed the decision and the Court of Arbitration for Sport are hearing the case today, with a decision expected (via Adam Pope):

The BBC’s report had this detail to share on the matter:

“The Bundesliga club took the matter to Fifa and in June 2021 got a ruling in their favour.

“Leeds were told the first instalment had to be paid – less a solidarity payment – with interest backdated to October 2020. They were warned that failure to pay future instalments could result in a transfer embargo.”

That fee appears to total over €6million that Leeds have been ordered to pay:

We could be in trouble if this decision goes against us really, likely meaning we will have to shell out the money for a player we don’t own.

I just wonder how watertight the contract is in our favour here, given how adamant the club seem on this matter.

You’ve got to wonder how Augustin is thinking about all this, now at another club in Nantes where he’s struggling to make any impact there either.

We just have to cross our fingers that we get away with this one, purely on a technicality.

This has to take top spot when it comes to the worst business this club has conducted in the past decade.

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Leeds United season ticket holder since 2013/14, currently situated in the middle of the FA5 noise. From Pablo Hernandez to 5-1 drubbings, I've seen it all at Elland Road.