Reports claim Austin would prefer to remain in London

A round-up of the latest transfer speculation involving Chelsea and QPR…

Speculation continues over the future of Charlie Austin after QPR rejected a £12m bid from Leicester.

Rangers want £15m for the striker and Leicester’s bid was the first offer or approach they have had for Austin despite numerous reports of them receiving both.

Newcastle were previously tipped to capture Austin but no move has materialised. However, the north-east media still insist Magpies boss Steve McClaren is in the running to sign him.

The Northern Echo say Newcastle are ready to battle for Austin’s signing but the newspaper believes he would rather stay in London and join West Ham.

The Shields Gazette, which suggests Newcastle would be prepared to pay Austin big wages, believe the club are having to play a waiting game because he is stalling to see if Chelsea come in for him.

Again the suggestion is that Austin, 25, would rather remain in the capital and join the Blues or West Ham.

The Newcastle Evening Chronicle say Austin is McClaren’s top transfer target and the Magpies are ready to step up their apparent interest following Leicester’s bid.

The Leicester Mercury reports that Leicester are expected to increase their offer in an attempt to sign Austin.

Meanwhile, Radamel Falcao accepted a 50% pay cut to join Chelsea from Monaco on a season-long loan, according to the Daily Mail.

The Daily Express claim Tottenham are set to beat Chelsea to the signing of Anderlecht striker Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Italian media reports have linked Spurs with the Serbian and the Express say Chelsea also want him.

And Spanish newspaper Super Deporte has reported that Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has asked agent Jorge Mendes to find a new club for Juan Cuadrado – just six months after the Colombian’s move to Stamford Bridge. Valencia are said to be interested.

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