Eintracht Frankfurt are growing increasingly concerned with Jean-Matteo Bahoya’s loan spell at Leeds United, which could have ‘direct financial consequences’ for them.
The youngster joined Leeds on loan at the end of the summer transfer window. He arrived with a growing reputation after seven goals and eight assists in 78 games for the German club.
The loan deal at Leeds was supposed to be his next step up. Indeed, there was optimism about it, and the €30m mandatory purchase clause included.
Frankfurt were hoping to see that activated by the end of the season, bringing in much needed funds ahead of next summer. That clause, though, appears to be in jeopardy.
Bahoya has barely featured for Leeds this season, with just three appearances totalling 11 minutes to date.
He’s so far spent most of the season on the bench, with just one minute against Crystal Palace, four against Arsenal and six against Bournemouth. He was left out of the squad for the 1-0 win over Tottenham completely.
Frankfurt concerns
That’s problematic for Frankfurt say Frankfurter Neue Presse. The current agreement saw them receive €2m as a loan fee. That would convert into a mandatory purchase option worth €30m after ten competitive appearances.
That is very unlikely to happen at this moment in time. Indeed, there is some indication that Leeds United are deliberately dodging it.
That would have ‘direct financial consequences’ for Eintracht Frankfurt. They would miss out on a multi-million Euro windfall. Those funds have already been earmarked for squad optimisation and personnel costs.
Bahoya would then return to Frankfurt, where they would have to decide what to do next. At the moment, the feeling is that the situation shows the risks that are inherent in such deals.
For selling clubs, not including a mandatory clause means there is no guaranteed revenue at the end of the loan. They’re now feeling that clearly.
Farke-ing frustrated
In the meantime, Daniel Farke is offering no optimism that the situation is about to change. He was recently asked about Bahoya again and indicated he’s becoming frustrated with such questions.
“He’s been the constant topic of conversation lately,” he said after an anecdote about a Leeds fan stopping him in the supermarket to ask about Bahoya specifically.
“He needs to add more physicality to his game. He needs to improve his decision-making, his finishing, and several other aspects of his play.
“If we expect him to have an immediate, major impact and make a difference for us at this level, then that has nothing to do with reality.
“It is easier to make a difference at the Bundesliga level than in the best league in the world. We cannot expect to sign a young player from a Bundesliga club’s bench and have him immediately become one of our most important players.”
