Jean-Kevin Augustin departs Leipzig on a free, club still vows legal action
RB Leipzig made no effort to prevent long controversial striker Jean-Kevin Augustin from leaving the club on his latest exit Monday.
Club commercial sporting director Florian Scholz made clear Leipzig's true quarrel remains with Leeds United.
The latest twist in the long Jean-Kevin Augustin saga saw the controversy saddled depart for French club FC Nantes on deadline day. Augustin left the club on a free transfer. RB Leipzig's website confirms that the club received no compensation.
Club commercial sporting director Florian Scholz made clear Leipzig's true quarrel remains with Leeds United.
The 23-year-old attacker remains the subject of a trade dispute between Leipzig and Leeds United. The Saxons' online portal notes that the organization will refer the matter to FIFA.
In principle, Leipzig can have no objections to Augustin joining another team. From the club's legal perspective, Augustin does not have a valid contract with die roten Bullen. An automatic purchase clause should have been activated when Leeds achieved promotion to the EPL last season. Hence, Augustin belongs to them.
Florian Scholz, Leipzig's commercial director of sports, is quoted on the website as saying: "Our legal position has not changed. Leeds United's promotion means Jean Kevin Augustin is no longer a player belonging to RB Leipzig. We will take legal action against Leeds and involve FIFA."
With the Bundesliga club maintaining their claims, it looks as if this issue is long from resolved.