Charlie Austin ‘will probably leave’

Queens Park Rangers boss Chris Ramsey admits Newcastle target Charlie Austin will ‘probably leave’ this summer.

The 26-year-old netted 18 times in 35 appearances last season and attracted attention from a number of clubs, including Chelsea and West Ham, but it is Newcastle that are currently the frontrunners for his signature.

Austin has been heavily linked with a move to Tyneside this summer, but Newcastle are currently unprepared to match QPR’s £15million valuation for a striker with one year remaining on his current contract. Talks between both parties have come to a halt with neither side willing to budge, but the Magpies remain the bookies favourites to land Austin this summer.

Even though talks have stalled, Chris Ramsey has conceded Austin will ‘probably leave’ this summer, in an interview with BBC London. 

“People are very interested. We know it’s a financial situation where the players, given the right offer, will probably go,” Ramsey said.

“Selfishly, I hope nobody comes in for them [Austin & Fer]. Whoever’s in the building and can help needs to be on hand. What is happening is that the players are training very hard to get fit for the beginning of the season and if they’re fit they’ll feature.”

While the Charlie Austin saga draws on, Newcastle are set to lose Mehdi Abeid to Bundesliga II side Fortuna Düsseldorf. The Algerian international has travelled to Germany to discuss and finalise personal terms though no fee has been mentioned in any reports thus far.