Southampton make £10m bid for QPR's Charlie Austin

SOUTHAMPTON have tabled a £10million bid for Charlie Austin as the hunt for QPR's England hitman hotted up last night.

Austin is at the centre now of a four-way tug-of-war, with Newcastle expected to table their opening offer in the next 24 hours, and West Ham and Chelsea all interested.

Southampton had registered their interest in Austin early on, but had not submitted an official offer until last night. Manager Ronald Koeman is a big fan of the striker, who was called up to the England squad at the end of last season.

Austin scored 18 goals last year and relegated Rangers are resigned to him leaving, but will hold out for the £15m they value him at.

Austin, 25, still has one year left on his contract, and will weigh up his options in the next week or so when he could have four separate offers on the table.

Charlie Austin is a target for a number of top Premier League clubs

The striker is said not to want to face another season of struggle next year after a frustrating last term with Rangers, and Newcastle look likely to have to convince him of their ambitions.

Staying in London with West Ham is a favourable option, and the Upton Park club have registered their interest though without yet putting in a firm bid. Chelsea are also keen, but Austin would know that if he went to Stamford Bridge he would be third choice striker behind Diego Costa and Radamel Falcao.