St Mary’s side challenge Stamford Bridge side, and a host of other suitors, in pursuit of QPR forward Charlie Austin.
Southampton have made an opening £10m bid for QPR forward Charlie Austin according to the Daily Express.
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The 25-year-old netted 18 Premier League goals last season, an impressive tally when you consider his side failed to avoid the drop, and a host of top-tier outfits are now keen on signing the former Swindon Town man.
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is keen on Austin and the Daily Express reveals that as well as the West London side the likes of West Ham and Newcastle United hope to land the in-form striker.
Saints boss Ronald Koeman saw his side’s push for an unlikely top-four finish flounder over the course of the 2014/15 season. But the south-coast side still secured a Europa League spot and this could act as a motivating factor in their push for Austin.
Whilst a high-profile move to Chelsea must surely tempt Austin it’s likely that regular first team action could allude the QPR star, with the likes of Diego Costa and Loic Remy being Mourinho’s first and second choice options up front.
The Daily Express also points out that Radamel Falcao is set to move to Stamford Bridge, which would provide another obstacle to Austin’s hopes of a first team spot, and at this stage in the marksman’s career such a move could prove problematic in terms of long term career prospects.