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Newcastle in pole position for Chelsea and Saints target Charlie Austin
NEWCASTLE are in pole position to capture Queens Park Rangers striker Charlie Austin after tabling a £14million bid.
Newcastle are hot favourites for QPR ace Charlie Austin
Austin, the most sought-after striker in the Premier League, is at the centre of a transfer tug-of-war with four clubs right now.
Southampton had offered around £13.75m for the England new boy but Newcastle manager Steve McClaren, who worked with Austin at Loftus Road, has gazumped them.
Newcastle are now the front runners with Southampton still very keen and both Chelsea and West Ham watching developments.
Austin, 25, is valued at £15m by relegated Rangers, who are resigned to their star striker leaving the Championship club, even though he has a year left on his contract.
McClaren is also interested in West Ham's former Newcastle striker Andy Carroll if he cannot land Austin.