Newcastle United manager Steve McClaren has confirmed he is hopeful of signing Queens Park Rangers striker Charlie Austin in January.
Austin, 27, was extensively linked with a move away from Loftus Road throughout the summer but was still a QPR player when the transfer window closed.
Newcastle were among a number of suitors reportedly interested in signing the England striker and McClaren’s men have seemingly moved to the front of the queue for his signature after declaring their interest.
“He’s been on the radar here from the second half of last season, stayed on it during the summer and he will still be on the radar in January,” McClaren is quoted as saying in the London Evening Standard.
The QPR striker was in sensational form last season and finished the campaign only behind Harry Kane (21) as the highest scoring English player in the Premier League (18).
Despite having been expected to move to a Premier League club this summer, Austin’s form has not been effected down in the Championship, where he is currently the league’s top scorer (5).
For more stats on Charlie Austin, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
