Newcastle have been offered the chance to sign Southampton striker Charlie Austin, according to the Chronicle, as Steve Bruce continues to try to shape the squad to his liking.
Austin and Newcastle seem to have been mentioned together in virtually every transfer window in recent memory, with a move never materialising for one reason or another.
The former QPR forward is believed to be available, having allegedly fallen out with Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl, after a dressing room tirade last week.
He was dropped from their pre-season tour squad, and it seems inevitable that he will leave St Mary’s before the transfer window closes.
He could be available for a moderate fee, and even though he would not fit into our strict transfer blueprint which Mike Ashley insists on, there could be some value in making a move.
Of course, the parameters have been shifted before, for the right player, with Daryl Murphy’s stop-gap signing coming to mind.
Joelinton is certain to be first choice but back-ups still needed
While Joelinton will undoubtedly be our main man up front this season, we are still very light in the forward areas, and with another striker being mooted, Austin could fit in for a back-up role at worst.
As we mentioned in a previous article, while young international players are exciting prospects, their lack of Premier League nous is a worry, and their raw talent must be mixed with experienced heads.
Austin would fit that mould perfectly, and if it was a choice between him and either of Andy Carroll or Danny Welbeck, the Southampton player certainly looks like the better option.
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