Supporters of Leeds United have flocked to a Twitter post which was shared by journalist Adam Pope regarding French striker Jean-Kevin Augustin.
On Monday, the 23-year-old Frenchman joined FC Nantes on a free transfer from Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig (per Transfermarkt).
However, the tweet from Pope claimed that the dispute between the Whites and RB Leipzig is still ‘open’ despite his move away from the German club.
The commercial manager of RB Leipzig, Florian Scholz, has reportedly stated that they still want money from Leeds as the contract they had for the player still applies.
This is in relation to the fact that Leeds loaned the striker with a clause to purchase him, however, the Whites later decided they no longer wanted Augustin (per Bild).
Lots of Leeds fans flocked to Pope’s tweet to air their views.
JKA joining Nantes still leaves the dispute between #lufc & RB Leipzig open. Florian Scholz, Commercial Manager of RB Leipzig, said today they still want the money as the contract applies & that he is no longer an RB Leipzig player but all is in the hands of their lawyers. #lufc
— Adam Pope (@apopey) October 6, 2020
Be interesting as they’ve admitted ownership or they wouldn’t legally be able to sign contracts of loan with Nantes!
— Dave ?\\\ (@mcbdave) October 6, 2020
Not sure how they can make Leeds pay for a player who’s now signed for another club…. I don’t think that’s how it works.
— OldSchool (@Monkiimagic) October 6, 2020
According to Bild’s report, the loan deal which saw Augustin arrive at Elland Road had a clause in it which stated that Leeds had to pay RB Leipzig €21m (£19.1m) to sign the player should they earn promotion to the Premier League.
However, as promotion was confirmed after 1st July, the Whites claimed that the purchase clause had expired as they no longer wanted the player.
The German club is currently arguing against Leeds’ stance as RB Leipzig believe that the clause applied ‘in any case‘ of promotion.
Like your house sale falls through , you then give your house to someone else but then still chase the first party for the money ?
— Simon?? (@SydidoAv) October 6, 2020
If Leeds have broken a contract, then they’ve broken a contract. What’s happened to the player after the contract was broken is not relevant.
— Rob Collins (@robcollins2016) October 6, 2020
All in all a messy situation and an awful time for Le Grand Kev who isn’t at fault in any of this. Has two clubs effectively fighting over not wanting him…
— Steve ALAW ? (@stephenaw85) October 6, 2020
Seems like a right mess. If Leeds have to pay then surely he becomes their asset and yet he has a contract with Nantes? This isn’t going to end well.
— MB 1919 (@MartyButt) October 6, 2020
During his time at Elland Road, Augustin made just three appearances for Marcelo Bielsa’s side. In those outings, he neither scored nor assisted a goal (per Transfermarkt).
Do you think Leeds will have to pay the money for Jean-Kevin Augustin?
No, it won't happen
Yes, I think we will
They’ve no chance, if Leeds are forced to pay for him then surely he’d have to come here wouldn’t he?
— Jacob Wadsworth? (@JacobWadsworth6) October 6, 2020
They can’t sell or give away something they don’t own…they have done and done the paperwork which means they owned the player not leeds hence the dispute has no legal binding agreement as RB have effectively terminated the agreement by selling the player
— Always Skiing ?? (@genesisTimM) October 6, 2020
As can be seen in these responses from Leeds supporters, there was lots of speculation surrounding whether or not the Whites will have to pay the money following Adam Pope’s tweet.