Leeds United have made the decision to not extend the loan of Jean-Kevin Augustin, and the French striker will now return to RB Leipzig. He made just three Championship appearances for the Whites after his loan move in January.
Jean-Kevin Augustin Leaves Leeds United and Returns to RB Leipzig
Expensive, Even for a Loan
A report from Get French Football News (GFFN) says that Leeds have already spent €4 million in loan fees and wages for the short time they have had Augustin at the club.
His time in Yorkshire was affected severely by the COVID-19 pandemic, but he also struggled to reach the level of fitness that Marcelo Bielsa requires from his players.
More to It?
Additionally, though, GFFN say that this move from Leeds is to try and get rid of the €21 million obligation to buy the attacker.
When Augustin moved to Leeds in January, a clause in the contract meant that if they were promoted to the Premier League, as is looking likely, then they would have to fork out the huge sum to buy the player.
This matter is complicated by the extension granted to the Championship season. Leeds could have a point if the details in the contract stipulated that they had to be promoted by the time the deal came to an end.
If not, though, Leipzig may have every right to force Leeds to pay the money and make Augustin their player.
This would likely see lawyers brought in to handle the case, as it’s clear that Leeds do not want the player, otherwise, they would happily stump up the fee and work on getting Augustin up to fitness during the off-season.
For now, at least, Augustin is not a Leeds player and will not be available for their remaining six games of the season, leaving Patrick Bamford as their main attacking outlet.
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