Whites Look Set To Land Rodolph Austin

It was revealed last week that Leeds United manager Neil Warnock was keen on Jamaican International Rudolph Austin. There is a gap in United's midfield following Adam Clayton's transfer to Yorkshire neighbours Huddersfield and Warnock thinks Austin, a player who he had on trial whilst at QPR, fits the bill.

Previous reports stated that the Whites had seen a bid of around £200,000 rejected, while Neil Warnock confirmed he was interested when he said:

"He's a player I had at QPR. I had him over for a week and he's a smashing lad.

I've always liked him, but it's always been a bit too much money.

The last time I spoke to them, it was around the £2million mark. But his contract runs out in December and he's the one that we are looking at as well as several others."

Fresh reports in the Norwegian media now believe that a fee has been agreed, thought to be near to the £300,000 mark. A deal looks set to be done but with Brann still in-season, United may allow the midfield man to stay with his current club for the next few games. Austin, capped 45 times for Jamaica, is known for his tough tackling style of play, something that is loved at Elland Road and his defensive qualities could be just what Neil Warnock's defence needs in order to become harder to score against.

Rodolph Austin vs Ruben Holsæter (via heggland0)

Meanwhile, United targets Luke Varney and David Norris have both remained at home while their Portsmouth team-mates travel to Spain for a pre-season training camp. It has been a number of weeks since Varney and Norris appeared to be on Warnock's wishlist and it remains to be seen whether United will fend off rival interest to reunite Jason Pearce with two of his former team-mates.

With Adam Drury, Jason Pearce and Paddy Kenny signed up as well as Tom Lees signing a new deal, the right back slot seems to be the last position of the back five that needs filling. The Yorkshire Post believes that the Whites are still in the hunt for Lee Peltier from Leicester City who seems to be the man Neil Warnock wants to complete his defence.

United head into their first pre-season fixture this week still needing around four or five players for their squad. The game is against Farsley Celtic on Friday night and shortly after the squad travel to Cornwall for games against Tavistock, Bodmin Town and Torquay United. Hopefully Neil Warnock will get the majority of his squad together this week, giving them enough time to prepare themselves as a group for the new season.