Newcastle "Could Sign" A Second Sought-After Striker This Week

Is one of the longest-running transfer sagas of the window coming to an end?

by Chris Waugh
Newcastle United "could sign" Queens Park Rangers striker Charlie Austin this week, according to a report in The Metro. The publication claims that "one of the summer's protracted transfers (could be) drawing to a close", although at no point in the entire article does it expand on how or why Tyneside may be the much-sought after forward's eventual summer destination. 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 in The Metro seems to contradict that.
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.€
For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow whatculture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.
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.