Ex-Claret Austin ‘priced out’ of transfer

Former Burnley FC record-breaker Charlie Austin fears he is being priced out of a move by current club Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers' Charlie Austin. Photo: John Walton/PA Wire.Queens Park Rangers' Charlie Austin. Photo: John Walton/PA Wire.
Queens Park Rangers' Charlie Austin. Photo: John Walton/PA Wire.

The striker is wanted by a number of Premier League clubs, including Newcastle United – but only Leicester City have made a firm bid.

Burnley will be watching the situation with interest as it is believed they have a sell-on clause for the former Swindon Town frontman.

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QPR are demanding £15m. for Austin, who netted 18 top-flight goals last season.

But Newcastle – who have been involved in talks with the Championship side – are unwilling to meet their valuation.

West Ham United have also baulked at the fee being demanded by QPR, who are reportedly ready to offer the 26-year-old a new contract at Loftus Road.

Austin, however, is prepared to run down the final year of his contract and leave on a free transfer next summer.

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And the feeling among the clubs circling Austin is that QPR, mindful he could leave for nothing in a year’s time, will have to lower their asking price before the summer transfer window closes.

United have not yet bid for Austin, who worked his way up the leagues after being scouted playing for Poole Town in 2009.

Austin signed for Burnley in January 2011 and, in his first full season with the club, scored 16 goals in the Championship and finished the campaign as the club’s top goalscorer in the league.

In October 2012, he equalled Ray Pointer’s club record of scoring in eight consecutive appearances, achieved during the 1958–59 season and, two weeks later, broke another Burnley record as he became the quickest-ever player to reach 20 goals in a season (the record was previously held by Bert Freeman, during the 1911–12 season).