Newcastle Transfer News: QPR Boss Wants To Keep Charlie Austin

Newcastle United will face a fight if they want to secure the signing of Charlie Austin this summer - with Queens Park Rangers boss Chris Ramsey claiming he "hopes" to hold on to the striker. The Magpies look set to do battle with the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Southampton for the £10 million-rated forward€™s signature this summer following QPR€™s relegation to the Championship - but only if Newcastle themselves can remain in the top flight. 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.

QPR boss Ramsey, speaking following Austin's inclusion in Roy Hodgson's most-recent England squad, said of his striker's future:

"I think it will be difficult to hold on to him (Austin). Goalscorers are the people everybody wants at the end of the season. "I'm hoping that he stays but it would be naive of me to say for sure he is going to stay here. He won't go with my blessing. I want him to stay. "But whatever happens, people have got careers and they have journeys that they are on an ambitions they want to fulfil. And I'm sure Charlie will consider that when he makes his decision."

Newcastle need to add firepower to their strikeforce because they have managed just 38 goals all season - and top-scorer Papiss Cisse€™s 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 following their relegation. The Magpies have moved into the lead in the race to secure Austin€™s signature, but they will only be able to do so if they manage to ensure their own Premier League survival in their final match of the season against West Ham United at St James' Park on Sunday. Austin has scored 106 goals in 198 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.