Summer Derby and Cardiff target Charlie Austin completes move to QPR
By Tom Thorogood
Monday 10th January 2021
Queens Park Rangers have confirmed on their official website the signing of Charlie Austin on loan months after the striker rejected moves to both Derby County and Cardiff City.
The West Bromwich Albion striker joined the Baggies in 2019.
But after helping West Brom to promotion last season, the former Southampton striker was heavily linked with a return to the Championship following a lack of game-time.
According to Rob Dorsett at Sky Sports, Derby were in talks to sign the 31-year-old in October as the Rams stepped up their efforts to bring in a new striker.
Football Insider went one further, claiming Rams interim manager Wayne Rooney personally called the Baggies man in an attempt to lure him to the Pride Park club.
According to the Daily Mail, Derby’s Championship rivals Cardiff attempted to add Austin to their ranks ahead of the 5pm transfer window deadline in October.
But a deal to either club ultimately never materialised as Austin remained at West Brom.
Now, after much speculation, QPR have announced Austin’s return to west London.
Austin played for the QPR side which beat Derby 1-0 in the 2013-14 playoff final. He later went on to score 18 Premier League goals the following campaign.
Despite not featuring much under former boss Slaven Bilic, the Croatian was always complimentary of Austin and dubbed the striker ‘magnificent’ to Birmingham Live.
“To be fair, I’ve been delighted with Charlie. You don’t hear Charlie in the dressing room before the game, after the game – he is magnificent to us. He’s working hard.”
The Hoops are struggling in the Championship having picked up just four points from their last nine games. Scoring goals has been an issue, and Austin is their solution.
Cardiff boss Neil Harris, meanwhile, is under threat with the Bluebirds some way off the playoff picture and he will be looking for improvements in January.
Derby, on the other hand, are currently in the Championship bottom three. Interim manager Wayne Rooney has improved things, but the dangers of relegation are there.
A new striker is a top priority for the club. However, the Rams activity may depend on their prospective long drawn takeover going through during the coming week.
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