Newcastle "Turn Attention" To New Target With Ivan Toney Signing Close

The Magpies will now focus on bringing Charlie Austin to St James' Park.

by Chris Waugh
Newcastle United will now turn their "attention to other targets", most notably Charlie Austin, as they close in on the signing of Northampton Town forward Ivan Toney. The BBC claim that the Cobblers youngster is on his way to Tyneside to complete his move and join the Magpies' development squad - becoming the club's fourth summer recruit. And now the Shields Gazette assert that the Magpies will up their efforts to bring 18-goal hitman Austin to the North East from Queens Park Rangers.
The Daily Mail suggested earlier this week that 22-year-old Haris Vuckic could be offered as a makeweight in a deal - just as WhatCulture.com/NUFCreported last week - with Newcastle unwilling to meet QPR's £15 million asking price for the forward. QPR boss Chris Ramsey confirmed last week that the west London club have rejected more than one offer for Newcastle target Austin during this transfer window - and that the striker himself has also rebuffed some of them. Leicester City are known to have had a £12 million offer turned down earlier in the summer, but it is unclear who the second bid came from - with the likes of Villa, West Ham United, Crystal Palace, AFC Bournemouth and the Magpies also interested in the forward. The 26-year-old netted 18 Premier League goals last season and is one of the most sought-after strikers in England, plus he is entering the final year of his QPR contract. And his current manager at QPR has revealed that the club have rejected more than one bid already for the former Swindon Town and Burnley hitman this off-season. Quoted in The Mirror, Ramsey said:
"There have been offers. A player of Charlie€™s ability, there will always be speculation. "At the moment, there has been nothing concrete. We€™ve had offers that we€™ve rejected, and we€™ve had offers that Charlie himself has not been happy to take on. "At the moment, he€™s a QPR player and he€™s working hard in training."
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Contributor
Contributor

NUFC editor for WhatCulture.com/NUFC. History graduate (University of Edinburgh) and NCTJ-trained journalist. I love sports, hopelessly following Newcastle United and Newcastle Falcons. My pastimes include watching and attending sports matches religiously, reading spy books and sampling ales.