Why Merseyside Is the Ideal Next Destination for QPR's Charlie Austin
Making his way from non-league through the tiers of English football, Charlie Austin is a success story.
A League One player in 2009-10, six seasons later (in his inaugural Premier League campaign) Austin has almost single-handedly kept Queens Park Rangers afloat. The 25-year-old striker is directly responsible for 55 percent of QPR's 38 EPL goals—assisting four and scoring 17.
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Though five games remain on their schedule, Queens Park Rangers look sure candidates for the drop. Losing 10 of their last 15 Premier League matches, taking just eight points, other than Hull City and Newcastle United, Chris Ramsey's outfit have the top flight's worst form.
Austin, however, can take little blame for his team's performances. Harry Redknapp left the team in midseason and injury woes, alongside poor luck, have made the 2014/15 season a burden, but the Hoops' centre-forward has shone through.
According to the Daily Mail's Simon Jones, Austin is garnering interest from a host of Premier League sides, hoping to prey on the west Londoners' talent like vultures: Newcastle United, Southampton and Everton are suggested as potential destinations for the Englishman.
Chelsea bought Loic Remy (28) from QPR for £8.5 million last summer—after an eventful loan spell at St. James' Park; comparatively, considering his age and current form, Austin's signature should command at least £12 million.
This appraisal might cause clubs who want the in-form attacker to be hesitant; the Magpies are notoriously penny-smart and the return of Jay Rodriguez (25) to Southampton—provided Saints keep him—could kill both clubs' ambition.
Of the listed teams, Everton seem an optimal landing spot.
Roberto Martinez has Romelu Lukaku (21), Steven Naismith (28) and Arouna Kone (31) in his current centre-forward stable; the Ivorian has yet to impress at Goodison Park, so there may be reason to look elsewhere for striking prowess this summer, and Austin is a prime candidate.
Tall, powerful and possessing fantastic penalty-box awareness, the 25-year-old would be a stellar complement to Lukaku.
Of the teams not listed in Jones' report, another side a stone's throw from Stanley Park may require striking reinforcements this summer.
Liverpool's centre-forward situation is dire.
Daniel Sturridge (25) cannot stay healthy, Mario Balotelli (24) does not mesh stylistically, Fabio Borini (24) cannot seem to establish himself and Rickie Lambert's (33) best football is likely behind him.
Brendan Rodgers needs an overhaul. Linked already with Burnley's Danny Ings (22)—per Rob Shepherd of the Daily Mail—it would seem the Liverpool boss knows something different is required at Anfield.
The addition of Austin would provide the Reds stability. Sturridge is a natural goalscorer when fit, but the others in-house are hit-and-miss. Liverpool need players who are proven, hard-working and cost efficient—climbing up from the virtual bottom and succeeding, Austin is all three.
Should Queens Park Rangers shock the Premier League and remain in the first division, everything in their power should be concentrated on keeping their burgeoning talisman, but in the event they are relegated to the Championship, the lucrative proceeds Austin (purchased for £4 million in 2013) could generate may be more valuable in the short term than keeping him around.
Both Merseyside clubs need secondary options up front to the strikers they currently employ, Austin would fit in both camps.
Convincing the English centre-forward to join their respective squads will be determined by the table and/or the transfer market—two increasingly unpredictable variables.
*Stats via WhoScored.com; transfer fees via Soccerbase.com where not noted.
