QPR’s Charlie Austin fails to rule out Premier League switch
Saturday 15 August 2015 21:28, UK
Charlie Austin refused to confirm whether he would still be at Queens Park Rangers beyond the end of the summer transfer window, admitting ‘every player wants to play in the Premier League’.
The 26-year-old forward scored 18 times for QPR in the top-flight last season, but was unable to prevent the club suffering relegation to the Championship.
Austin, who netted in QPR’s 2-2 draw with Cardiff City on Saturday, has since been linked with a return to the Premier League, with reported interest from Newcastle, Tottenham and West Ham.
Sky sources understands if Austin – valued at £15m by QPR – fails to secure a move to a Premier League club by the September 1 transfer deadline, the west London club will attempt to secure him on a new long-term contract.
However, when asked what the future may hold for him, Austin said: “I don’t know to be honest. Like I’ve said the whole way through, I’m here to play and I’ll leave that to my agent and the owners of the football club and whatever they decide will be.
“I’m focussed on the job in hand. Every player wants to play in the Premier League and I would be lying if I said I didn’t want to be there, but I’ve got to work hard while I’m at QPR and try my best.”
Leicester are so far the only club that have tested QPR’s resolve with a £12m offer, which was swiftly rejected.
Austin signed for QPR from Burnley in August 2013 after scoring 45 goals in 90 appearances for the Clarets.
He played a leading role in QPR’s promotion to the Premier League during the 2013-14 season, and has scored 39 goals for the club in all competitions.
