No talks to sign QPR’s Austin – McClaren

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Steve McClaren has confirmed to Sky Sports that Newcastle are not in talks to sign Charlie Austin.

West London Sport revealed last month that QPR had rejected a £12m bid from Leicester for striker Austin.

That bid is the only offer or approach Rangers have received for him this summer despite numerous reports of interest from several Premier League clubs.

Newcastle have consistently been linked with him and there have been a host of reports suggesting Magpies boss McClaren is attempting to sign him.

Director of football Les Ferdinand, who has control over transfer dealings at QPR, recently confirmed to West London Sport that he had not heard from Newcastle regarding Austin.

McClaren has been linked with Austin but has not made an approach
McClaren has been linked with Austin but has not made an approach

There has nevertheless been continued speculation that McClaren is trying to thrash out a deal to sign him.

However, McClaren, speaking after his team’s pre-season friendly against German side Borussia Monchengladbach on Saturday, insisted there had been no discussions.

McClaren said: “There’s been a lot of talk about that throughout the weeks, but we’ve not been in contact with QPR and they’ve not with us.

“So no, that’s just a name that circulates and has been going around.”

Rangers, meanwhile, are considering making Austin a revised offer of a new contract.

Ferdinand wants to avoid losing Austin on a Bosman free transfer next summer
Ferdinand wants to avoid losing Austin on a Bosman free transfer next summer

He has a year of his current contract left to run, having signed a three-year deal when he arrived from Burnley in 2013.

By not signing an improved contract when offered one last season, he missed out on a substantial pay increase.

QPR believe another offer to Austin could address this while still leaving the door open to an eventual move and, crucially, protecting the club from potentially losing him for a knockdown fee in January or no fee at all were he to see out his current contract.

Austin scored 18 goals last season and has netted a total of 36 in his two years with the R’s.

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