£30m Leeds Utd transfer ‘facing collapse’ regardless of whether they stay up, as infuriating reason why emerges

Leeds Utd are highly unlikely to follow through with a pre-agreed transfer worth £30m this summer, and the reason why will leave Whites fans shaking their heads, per reports.

Leeds Utd addressed two of their biggest problem positions in the winter window – centre-back and central midfield.

Max Wober arrived from RB Salzburg and when fit, has already looked a cut above his contemporaries at the back.

Weston McKennie arrived on loan from Juventus to shore up the engine room. He’s generally been the preferred partner for fellow USA international, Tyler Adams.

McKennie’s loan runs until the end of the season, though Leeds were able to negotiate an option to buy into the move. The option is worth €33m (approx. £30m).

Logic would dictate Leeds have no intention of triggering the move in the event they’re relegated. The Whites currently sit in 16th position, just two points outside of the drop zone.

However, according to Football Insider, Leeds won’t activate the option if they survive either.

The outlet state McKennie’s outright move to Elland Road is ‘facing collapse’. They double down on that claim when stating Leeds are ‘not expected’ to pursue a permanent move.

The publication don’t offer a reason as to why that course of action will be taken, though another source have.

The ghost of JKA haunts Leeds Utd again

Indeed, MOTLeedsNews point to the head-shaking situation involving infamous ex-Leeds frontman, Jean-Kevin Augustin.

The striker originally joined the club on loan from RB Leipzig in January 2020. However, he only went on to make three substitute appearances for Leeds before his loan spell ended.

As part of the original agreement with Leipzig, Leeds had an obligation to buy Augustin if they earned promotion to the Premier League.

Ultimately, they managed it, though Leeds disputed the clause’s validity after the season extended beyond the expiry of the attacker’s loan due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

After cases with FIFA and the Court of Arbitration for Sport, Leeds had to pay RB Leipzig a settlement fee of around £15.5m in November 2022, being able to do so in instalments.

However, the story didn’t end there, with FIFA recently ruling Leeds were in breach of Augustin’s contract and as such, must pay the Frenchman £24.5m directly.

Leeds have appealed the latest ruling, though if denied, will be on the hook for £24.5m that’ll be taken away from their upcoming transfer budget.

MOTLeedsNews suggest the Augustin debacle and by extension the additional money Leeds may have to fork out is behind the decision not to sign McKennie outright.

READ MORE: First Leeds Utd exit of summer emerges as 29-year-old reveals express desire to leave with discounted move on