QPR star Austin close to Southampton move

Southampton are close to signing Charlie Austin.

QPR have accepted an offer of around £4m for the 26-year-old striker, whose contract at Loftus Road is due to expire at the end of the season.

Austin scored 18 goals for Rangers in the Premier League last term and was widely tipped to leave following the club’s relegation from the top flight.

He has been linked with a host of clubs, including the likes of Tottenham and Newcastle, but only Leicester and Crystal Palace made approaches during the summer.

QPR wanted £15m for Austin then, but entered the current transfer window facing the prospect of losing him for no fee at the end of the campaign.

Austin played non-League football before Swindon Town signed him from Poole Town in 2009.

After prolific two-year spells with the Robins and Burnley, he moved to west London in 2013 and has since scored 48 goals for the R’s, 10 of them coming this season.

Meanwhile, Rangers are discussing a possible deal to sell Matt Phillips to Watford.

More to follow.