Speculation continues over Stones and Austin

A round-up of the latest transfer speculation involving QPR and Chelsea…

There continues to be speculation that Newcastle will move for Charlie Austin when the transfer window re-opens in January.

They were among a number of clubs consistently reported to have been pursuing a deal for the QPR striker this summer despite the Magpies not making an approach.

The Sunday Mirror claim Newcastle made a pre-deadline attempt to sign him last week by sounding Rangers out over a £10m player-exchange deal involving midfielder Rolando Aarons.

And it suggested that Newcastle hope they will still win the apparent battle to sign the 26-year-old.

With Everton having refused to sell John Stones before the recent transfer window closed, there is already speculation that Chelsea will try again to sign the England defender in January.

The Sun on Sunday say Chelsea are planning to offer Bertrand Traore to Everton as part of an exchange deal.

The Sunday Mirror, meanwhile, predict that Chelsea will make what would be their fifth attempt to take Stones, 21, to Stamford Bridge.

The Blues will need to bid close to £40m in order to get their man, it is suggested.

The Sunday Mirror also say Branislav Ivanovic could move to the United States at the end of the season.

Ivanovic, who turns 32 in February, is in the final year of his contract at Chelsea and it is claimed that New York City – where his former Blues team-mate Frank Lampard plays – and LA Galaxy would want him.

Again it is claimed, this time by the Sunday Times, that Chelsea tried sign Anthony Martial prior to the French teenager’s pre-deadline move to Manchester United from Monaco.

And the Sun on Sunday suggest Martial had been on the radars of Chelsea and Manchester City since the age of 11.