'Free to join' – Telegraph journalist delivers major update on Leeds move for Augustin

Telegraph journalist Mike McGrath has said that striker Jean-Kevin Augustin has been given permission to cut short his loan from Monaco and is now "free to join another club". 

After weeks of will-they, won't they over Che Adams, Leeds United have seemingly sprung into action on the mystery European striker that has been mentioned all January as a back-up.

That man is Red Bull Leipzig striker Augustin, and his name was first linked to Leeds by the Athletic.

L'Equipe posted a story this morning that said Augustin wanted to cut short his current loan deal with Monaco to move to Leeds, and that he'd chosen to work with Marcelo Bielsa over Crystal Palace, Rennes and Saint-Étienne.

The Athletic's Phil Hay delivered an update on Saturday morning saying that while he was still waiting to hear the all-important news that a deal had been agreed, the player's agent was "working hard on getting him out of Monaco", where he's currently on loan.

That seemed to be the one bit of the deal yet to be navigated, but Augustin hasn't been a success at Monaco and is currently being used off the bench.

Now, the Telegraph's Mike McGrath has said that Monaco have given the striker permission to cut short his loan and Monaco have left him out of their squad for this game on Saturday night.

McGrath added, "Has only played for Monaco this season and free to join another club."

That's a major boost for Leeds in their quest to bring the striker to Elland Road and seemingly the only obstacle to the deal is now out of the way.

This is a story that seems to be developing very quickly.

In other Leeds United news, 'Top talent' – Barca scout delivers breathless report on player who has chosen to be Leeds