Football finance expert Kieran Maguire has explained on Twitter why Leeds United will not pay as much as £24.5m to Jean-Kevin Augustin – despite FIFA finding in Augustin’s favour to repay his wages, due to breach of contract.
Augustin, 28, joined Leeds on loan in January 2020 but managed just 48 minutes of football for Leeds across three separate substitute outings. The loan included an obligation to buy him from Leipzig if the club gained promotion.
Leeds chose not to do so. But in December last year, Leeds were ordered to find a settlement with RB Leipzig over a permanent fee for Augustin – which saw Leeds pay £15.5million. Now, Augustin has ordered his wages are paid.
The Athletic report that Augustin would have been given a five-year deal worth £90,000 a week. They also report that FIFA’s Dispute Resolution Chamber have ruled in favour of Augustin – meaning Leeds will have to repay wages.
It means, for a 48-minute display, Leeds will end up paying £40million. Or will they? Maguire replied to a comment on Twitter, saying Leeds will not have to pay a full whack of £24.5m – given those wages will have included bonuses.
Finance expert Maguire explains why Leeds will not pay Augustin £24.5m
So, Leeds will still have to pay a big fee to Augustin in wages. The club have appealed the decision and it is likely that it will take more time to solve. But, at least, it will not be as high as the £24.5m that is in the media right now.
It still goes down as one of the worst signings in modern football and another source of criticism that can be levelled at Victor Orta and the board. Augustin has since gone to play for Nantes in France, and now, Basel in Switzerland.
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