Speculation over QPR’s possible contract offer to Austin
A round-up of the latest transfer speculation involving QPR…
The transfer window has just closed but there continues to be speculation over the future of Charlie Austin – and the new contract he could be offered by QPR.
West London Sport revealed in July that Rangers were considering making another offer of a new deal to Austin, 26, if he ended up staying at Loftus Road.
Director of football Les Ferdinand subsequently confirmed the club were considering making another offer to Austin, whose current contract expires at the end of the season.
Austin, who signed a three-year deal when QPR bought him from Burnley in 2013, missed out on a significant pay rise by keeping his options open rather than re-signing last season.
A new contract would address this while keeping the door open for a potential move and, crucially, protecting the club from the prospect of losing him on a free transfer next summer.
The Daily Mirror reports that Austin will be offered a contract with a release clause in an attempt to persuade him to sign new terms and prevent him speaking to other clubs in January.
The Daily Express imply this will be of interest to Chelsea, Newcastle and West Ham, who were consistently linked with Austin this summer despite only Leicester and Crystal Palace making approaches.
The Express also claim Chelsea were ready to sign Anthony Martial prior to the France Under-21 striker’s recent move to Manchester United from Monaco.
