Charlie Austin – What next for the QPR striker?

Charlie Austin has been at the centre of mass media speculation on where he will end up come the end of the transfer window with a number of clubs rumoured to be interested in the England striker.

Here at the Sports Lowdown, our writer Ethan Gore discusses what next for the QPR striker and whether or not, he will leave the London club by the end of the transfer window.

Austin signed for QPR in August 2013 after completing a move from fellow Championship club, Burnley for an undisclosed fee. Since joining the club the 26-year-old striker has scored 40 goals in 76 games, 18 of them being scored last season in the Premier League. However, his goals were not enough to keep QPR up and they were relegated only a year after being promoted. The England international has now been left with the decision to either stay at The R’s and help them get promoted or leave to join a Premier League club, were his ability would be more suited and he’d be able to develop more as a footballer.

There’s no denying that Austin’s natural instincts in-front of goal would be welcome at most Premier League clubs and a host of teams have been eager for his signature including Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Everton and high-fliers Leicester City. However, most of the teams showing interest have been put off by the 26-year-olds price tag of £15m and are hoping that by the end of the window QPR may end up lowering it to allow Austin to play Premier League football.

Austin’s a traditional striker – good in the air, strong and has great awareness in the penalty area – and this is why so many clubs want to sign him. He’s not the quickest nor is he the most skillful but he’s got all the right criteria you’d want in a striker when looking for someone who would guarantee you goals. The 26-year-old’s record for every club he’s played for is outstanding, scoring 218 goals in 353 career games – more than 0.5 goals a game. Any club interested knows they will be getting a reliable striker with experience in the Premier League. Austin has yet to make his mark for the England national team despite being called-up previously but there’s no doubt should he make his move back to the top-flight, that will he will be making regular appearances for the Three Lions.

Where next for the England striker?

Well, there’s a host of clubs interested and many clubs that could do with a player of Austin’s quality. I think when you’re talking about any team in the Premier League that need a goalscorer, the 26-year-old striker instantly fits the bill. Swansea for starters may have Bafetimbi Gomis on the score-sheet regularly but they could do with another striker to either partner the French international or be a back-up option. However, the latter is unlikely as Austin will want to be guaranteed first-team footballer. Aston Villa, West Ham and Newcastle could all do with a striker like Austin as could Everton however with the recent form of Arouna Kone, interest may be dropped by the Toffees.

Another option for the England striker is to just stay at QPR and commit his future but he could be taking a risk, right? He’s unlikely to get in the England squad when playing in the Championship and people wouldn’t recognise him as much in a lower division. Playing in the Premier League would fully maximise Austin’s ability and potential as a footballer. He needs to be able to showcase his goalscoring form of last season again – in the Premier League – for a top club.