Southampton: Sheffield United enquire about availability of Saints striker

Premier League new boys Sheffield United have reportedly enquired about the availability of Southampton striker Charlie Austin.

According to a report from Sky Sports (3:34 transfer centre blog, Thursday 27th June 2019), the Blades are interested in bringing the 29-year-old to Bramall Lane this summer and Saints will accept a bid in the region of £10m.

Austin has fallen down the pecking order at St Mary’s and may well be looking for a move to ensure more first-team football in the latter years of his career.

Danny Ings was the first-choice striker in 2018/19 and the club are looking to sign another forward this summer, with Birmingham City’s Che Adams said to be their number one target.

Austin was considered a bargain when Saints signed him for £4m back in January 2016 and he has enjoyed some good spells whilst on the South Coast.

He has scored 20 goals in 81 appearances for Saints to date but hasn’t quite hit the heights that he did at previous clubs.

After joining Swindon Town from Poole Town and making he first steps into professional football in the process, he netted 37 times in just 63 games for the Robins.

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This earned him a £1.26m move to Burnley in the Championship, where he plundered 44 goals in 90 matches.

He then signed for QPR where he kept up his goalscoring abilities with 47 goals in 89 games at Loftus Road.

He has a proven track record for being a reliable striker and Sheffield United could be making a smart move in going for him.

With perhaps three or four years left playing at the highest level possible, Austin could make a real impression and bring some much-needed Premier League experience for Chris Wilder’s side.

Austin has suffered with injuries that have halted his progress with Saints but that hasn’t stopped him producing some memorable moments.

One in particular was the goal he scored on his debut at Old Trafford that secured a priceless 1-0 win, whilst his best moment from 2018/19 was perhaps his late winner against Arsenal at St Mary’s.