It is been reported that West Ham have become the clear favourites to sign highly sought after Queens Park Rangers striker Charlie Austin.
Austin has entered the final year of his contract at Loftus Road, for a side who were relegated from the top flight last season, and has emerged as a top target for many Premier League clubs this summer.
Lengthy competition
Newly managerless Leicester City had £12million bid for the 25-year-old rejected on Friday with Rangers holding out for at least £15m.
West Brom, Southampton and Newcastle have also thrown their hats into the ring, but it reported that Austin would prefer a move to the Hammers which would allow him to remain in the capital.
The striker, who is currently away on his honeymoon, will hold further talks with the club’s hierarchy on his return to pre-season.
There are concerns if Austin was to stay at Loftus Road it could damage his chances of retaining involvement in the England setup and has offered no indication he wants to stay beyond his contract expiration next summer.
Brilliant season
Austin, who joined from Burnley for £4m back in 2013 had an excellent debut season in the top flight with 18 league goals, and was duly rewarded with a call-up to Roy Hodgson’s England squad.
The Hammers who are now under the helm of former player Slaven Bilic are looking to bolster their squad as they possibly prepare for the addition of Europa League matches after topping the Fair Play league table last season.
Could Austin play in Europe?
West Ham got their 2015/16 campaign underway when they began their Europa League journey on Thursday, welcoming Lusitanos to Upton Park in the first-leg of their first round qualifier.
In the end, it was a comfortable victory for the London side, with goals from Diafra Sakho and James Tomkins giving them a 3-0 win ahead of the second leg next week.