Financial expert Kieran Maguire has been reacting to an update involving Leeds United’s courtroom case with RB Leipzig regarding Jean-Kevin Augustin, Football Insider report.

The Lowdown: Adjourned again

FIFA had previously ruled in Leipzig’s favour when it came to Augustin, with Leeds then appealing to The International Court of Arbitration for Sport over a €21m fee for the forward.

The CAS have been dealing with the case since March, with recent reports from Germany, relayed by Leeds Live, suggesting that the case has been adjourned once again. They claim that a decision may now arrive in November, and Maguire has been having his say on the latest news.

The Latest: Maguire’s comments

Maguire, who contributes for Sky Sports, was talking to FI regarding Leeds and Augustin.

He said that the Whites ‘could save them the best part of £20m’ if a decision goes in their favour, however, he added that Leeds will be faced with ‘an interest penalty’ if they lose and can understand why the club are willing to ‘delay the outcome’.

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“It’s certainly in Leeds’ interest if they are willing to defer and delay the outcome of the Jean-Kevin Augustin case.

“The upside is that they could save them the best part of £20m if Uefa agrees that the transfer had not taken place due to the unusual determination of the end of the season as a result of Covid.

“The downside is that they will have to pay an interest penalty should they lose the case.

“But you only have to compare the magnitude of the two numbers to see that Leeds will be focusing on being successful because it’s going to save them almost 20 times as much money if they win the case.”

The Verdict: Could be an expensive mistake

As Maguire mentions, should Leeds fail in their appeal, they will have to pay interest on top of a €21m fee to Leipzig.

Should that be the case, you could say that it has been one of the club’s worst transfers in their entire history. Augustin, now 25, played just 48 minutes of action for the Whites in the Championship and is currently plying his trade with FC Basel.

Hopefully, the CAS will rule in Leeds’ favour, but following FIFA’s initial decision, that may well be unlikely – only time will tell.