"Ongoing Transfer Meetings" At Newcastle As Toon Earmark No 1 Target

McClaren has told the NUFC board that Austin is the player he really wants.

By Chris Waugh /

Newcastle United are "considering" how to push forward in their summer-long pursuit of Queens Park Rangers forward Charlie Austin, according to The Chronicle. As well as claiming that the Magpies board are holding "ongoing transfer meetings", the report also states that head coach Steve McClaren has handpicked Austin as his new No 1 recruitment target going forward. After securing the signings of Georginio Wijnaldum and Aleksandar Mitrovic - with Chancel Mbemba's arrival also close - McClaren has earmarked the 18-goal QPR hitman as the next player he wants through the door at St James' Park.
On Monday, The Daily Mail asserted that the Magpies are stalling on a deal due to concerns over the striker€™s long-standing shoulder injury - and their unwillingness to meet QPR's £15 million asking price. Additionally, the Daily Mail also stated that Tyneside is Austin€™s preferred destination - but that Newcastle will demand QPR lower their £15 million asking price before a deal can be completed. Interestingly, The Sunday People claimed over the weekend that Newcastle are unwilling to meet the supposed £85,000-a-week wages wanted by the QPR striker, but this report seems to be wide of the mark. Austin tweeted a picture of Mr Men character Mr Greedy with a caption showing lots of laughing faces from his own personal account on Sunday, suggesting the claims about his desired wages may be over-inflated. https://twitter.com/chazaustin9/status/625339654775177216 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:
€œThere have been offers. A player of Charlie€™s ability, there will always be speculation. €œAt 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. €œAt the moment, he€™s a QPR player and he€™s working hard in training.€
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