Transfer gossip: Crouch tipped to rejoin QPR and Southampton are fancied to sign Austin

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

Peter Crouch is once again likely to be heavily linked with a move back to QPR after bookmakers BetVictor drastically cut their odds on the striker returning to Loftus Road.

Crouch, who grew up in Ealing and turns 35 later this month, spent the 2000-01 season at Rangers and the club have made several unsuccessful attempts to secure his return since then.

Amid speculation that he could leave Stoke City during this month’s transfer window, he is odds-on with BetVictor to join the R’s at 4/5 – in from 10/1. There have been similar cuts in the odds on Crouch returning during previous windows.

Southampton, meanwhile, are touted as the favourites to sign Charlie Austin, who according to reports in Turkey has held contract talks with Galatasaray.

Reports on Tuesday suggested that Turkey’s champions were keen to sign the QPR striker, whose contract expires at the end of the season.

Now it is claimed that Galatasaray have had discussions with him and are looking to sign him this month.

Rangers have received no approaches for Austin, who is hoping to eventually join a top Premier League club.

The Daily Mail have picked up on recent reports linking QPR with Crystal Palace striker Dwight Gayle.

It has been claimed that Rangers are pursuing a deal to take the player to Loftus Road during this month’s transfer window.

The Mail say QPR are looking to take Gayle on loan, while Norwich City are said to be keen to sign him on a permanent basis. He is said to be rated at £8m.

And The Sun claim QPR could get £8m for Matt Phillips from either West Brom or Bournemouth.

West London Sport recently revealed that both clubs are interested in a potential deal to sign the winger.