Newcastle United target Charlie Austin has claimed he will turn up for pre-season training with Queens Park Rangers in July - unless he is told "otherwise" by the club. The Magpies look set to do battle with the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Southampton for the £10 million-rated forward's signature this summer following QPR's relegation to the Championship. Austin is the fourth-top scorer in the Premier League this season having bagged an impressive 17 goals despite playing for a side who are bottom of the table but he has just a year left on his Loftus Road deal. But, speaking to The Sun about where he believes his future lies on Thursday, Austin said:
"Unless Im told otherwise (by QPR) I will report for pre-season - I did exactly the same at Burnley when I had a year to go and I could have gone to Hull (City). "It's the way I am. Im not going to start refusing to come in or refusing to go there. I have one year left and I have to honour my contract. It's out there that I've only got one year left but I will come back for when pre-season starts and hopefully get fit for the season to come. "If I am told to leave then I wont be here. If I am told to report and nothing is said then I will be here when we report back on day one."
Newcastle need to add firepower to their strikeforce because they have managed just 37 goals all season - and top-scorer Papiss Cisses future at the club is in doubt, meaning they will have just Ayoze Perez, Adam Armstrong and the goalless Emmanuel Riviere as forwards next year. They have turned their attention to the highly-coveted Austin, who will want to remain in the Premier League - and that cannot be with QPR next season after their 6-0 humbling against Manchester City confirmed their relegation. The Magpies have moved into the lead in the race to secure Austins signature, but they will only be able to do so if they manage to ensure their own Premier League survival in the final two games of the season. Austin has scored 106 goals in 197 league games for Swindon, Burnley and QPR since the beginning of 2010. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow WhatCultureNUFC on Twitter and Facebook.