Leeds told they must pay £18m for Augustin

LEEDS are ‘surprised and disappointed’ at being forced to pay £18million to RB Leipzig for Jean-Kevin Augustin — despite him playing just 48 minutes for the club.

They signed the French striker on loan from the Germans in January 2020, with an obligation to buy if they won promotion that season, which they achieved. Leeds, though, argued they should not have to pay the transfer fee because Augustin’s loan expired on June 30, and they went up on July 17 after the season was delayed by Covid.

FIFA ruled last year Leeds should pay up, which they appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. However, Leeds lost their appeal yesterday, meaning they must pay Leipzig an opening £6m, with two other instalments at a later date. Leeds will now ‘review carefully its legal options with a view to an appeal’.