Villa star urges Austin move while Traore is linked with QPR exit

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

Aston Villa defender Micah Richards has urged his new club to make a bid for QPR striker Charlie Austin, the Birmingham Mail claims.

Speculation over Austin’s future has continued since West London Sport revealed last week that Rangers had rejected an offer from Leicester.

And Richards is quoted as saying Austin would make a perfect replacement for Christian Benteke if he was sold by Villa, adding: “Charlie Austin has scored a lot of goals hasn’t he?

“Some of the games I watched towards the end of last season, he was winning games on his own.”

Newcastle have also been linked with a move for Austin but the Daily Express now believes they will sign Anderlecht’s Aleksandar Mitrovic instead.

TalkSport suggests Armand Traore, who hasn’t travelled with Rangers on their pre-season tour of Italy, is being monitored by French club Lille.

Meanwhile, The Sun claims Chelsea will look to send Brazilian youngster Kenedy out on loan to aid his bid for a work permit, once they have completed a deal for the 19-year-old Fluminense forward.

There is more speculation over apparent Chelsea interest in Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic and Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain.