The EIGHT-FIGURE transfer fee for a move that NEVER happened: Why Leeds must pay up for £24.5m striker, who didn’t even make a permanent transfer, after withdrawing from court battle over deal

Leeds United’s appeal against the £24.5million they were ordered to give Jean-Kevin Augustin in compensation has been withdrawn from the Court of Arbitration for Sport, according to reports. 

Leeds were ordered to pay their former player – who signed on loan from RB Leipzig in January 2020 – a staggering £24.5m after being found to have breached his contract.

Leeds decided to appeal the decision, which was made by FIFA’s Dispute Resolution Chamber, adding another twist to the long-running saga surrounding the French forward. 

However, The Athletic are now reporting that Leeds have withdrawn their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport – claiming ‘that process has ended prematurely without a further ruling.’

A statement from CAS given to The Athletic read: ‘The appeal in the arbitration CAS 2023/A/9616 Leeds United v Jean-Kevin Augustin, against the decision issued on 30 March 2023 by FIFA Football Tribunal Dispute Resolution Chamber (FPSD-6567), was withdrawn.’

Leeds signed Augustin on loan from RB Leipzig in January 2020, with an obligation to buy for £18m if they won promotion to the Premier League that season, which they achieved.

But the Elland Road club 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 the Covid pandemic.

FIFA ruled in 2021 that Leeds should pay the full amount and the club lost their appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport last November. 

A statement by the Court of Arbitration, as per the Athletic said: ‘The panel held that the ‘Purchase Obligation’ had been triggered at the end of the 2019-2020 season, even though the season had concluded later than expected due to the disruption caused by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, and confirmed the ‘Challenged Decision’ in full, including the obligation of LUFC to pay to RB Leipzig the first instalment of the transfer fee, the two other instalments being not due yet, at the time of the FIFA procedure.’

Leeds released a statement in the aftermath of the verdict in which they said they would carefully review all their options with a view to appeal.

They said: ‘Leeds United are surprised and disappointed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s decision, which not only contradicts the language and meaning of the contract but also the practices adopted in European football under FIFA regulations, due to the unique impact of the extensions to the season necessitated by Covid postponements.

‘The club will now review carefully all of its legal options with a view to an immediate appeal. We will make no further comment at this time.’ 

However, Leeds eventually reached a £15.5m settlement with Leipzig in December 2022. They had hoped it would put the matter to bed. 

But, Augustin – who now plays for Swiss side Basel – then decided to take his own case against Leeds United to FIFA. 

The £24.5m fee the Whites have been told to pay is understood to represent the player’s full five-year contract on wages of around £80,000 a week. 

However, it remains unclear as to whether the withdrawal of Leeds United’s appeal has seen the club agree to paying Augustin the full amount awarded to him. 

The £24.5m payment would see Leeds would fork out a hefty amount on a player they never permanently owned. 

As it stands, Leeds are sitting third in the Championship table – one point behind Leicester City and Ipswich Town.