Newcastle backed in signing QPR striker Charlie Austin

The 26-year-old, who scored 18 goals in his debut season in the Premier League, is widely expected to leave Loftus Road after Rangers were relegated back to the Sky Bet Championship.

Austin’s impressive haul earned him a first England call-up towards the end of the campaign and he has been linked with several top-flight clubs. However, the odds on Aston Villa, West Ham, Chelsea and Bournemouth drifted significantly as interest in him joining the Magpies cranked up, while Austin was 20/1 to remain with QPR before the market was pulled.