Charlie Austin’s proposed transfer to Newcastle United appeared to move a step closer last night after bookmakers suspended betting on the deal.
Magpies boss Steve McClaren has made Austin his primary striker target all summer but they have not been able to agree on a price with QPR so far.
Hoops director of football Les Ferdinand has confirmed no formal offer has been lodged by his old club but admitted there may have been contact between the two sides.
Leicester City are the only club to have made a bid for the England forward and saw their £12million offer knocked back as Rangers hold out for their full £15million valuation.
Premier League goal chart (18)
Opta
Newcastle are believed to value the player at less than that amount but the bookies’ have seen enough movement in the market to suggest McClaren will get his man imminently.
Sky Bet’s Chris Spicer said: “It has come as somewhat of a surprise to see such interest in Charlie Austin’s future amid a lack of media reports surrounding his future.
“The size of the bets also imply that they came from sources that know something that we don’t, forcing us to cut the odds significantly and eventually pull the market.”
Austin has a year to run on the three-year QPR contract he signed when he moved to Loftus Road from Burnley in 2013 and would be able to leave on a free transfer next summer if no fresh terms are penned.
