Several betting companies, including Coral and Paddy Power, had suspended betting on Charlie Austin moving to West Ham this summer but, according to the Telegraph, the Hammers are not interested in signing the QPR striker.
Up until last week, Newcastle were the only club to hold genuine interest in signing Austin and the Magpies were prepared to offer him the famous number nine jersey – currently occupied by Besiktas target Papiss Cisse – in a bid to lure him to Tyneside.
However, reports of West Ham entering the race surfaced towards the end of last week, suggesting the Hammers were hoping the lure of playing in London, as well as Europa League football, could tempt the 25-year-old to Upton Park.
The latest twist in the Austin saga is that West Ham are not interested in signing him as it stands, but he remains Newcastle’s top transfer target. The Magpies have held productive talks with Austin’s representatives this summer already, but QPR are holding firm and will not be accepting any bids under their £15million valuation.
Southampton, Chelsea, Liverpool and Crystal Palace had also been linked with a move for Austin, but they were not prepared to follow up their interest due to the Hoops’ asking price.
Austin is just one of two strikers Steve McClaren is hoping to sign this summer – the other being Wolfsburg’s Bas Dost.
Failure to sign either of them could prove more costly than initially thought. The board will look to make some big name signings this summer, to continue season ticket purchases and back up Mike Ashley’s interview with Sky Sports last month. Failure to do so would continue the fan perception of all talk and no action from the owner, with more supporters walking away vowing not to return until Mike Ashley has sold up and left permanently.
