It is known that Southampton have expressed serious interest in QPR striker Charlie Austin with manager Ronald Koeman reportedly a fan.

Austin has many admirers though with Newcastle, West Ham and league champions Chelsea having reportedly made enquiries for the front man.

All this interest comes off the back of Austin’s successful maiden season in the Premier League. Scoring 18 goals last season, he earned an England call up with Harry Kane unavailable due to his u21s commitment.

It is reported that Southampton put in a bid in the region of £10million, with QPR looking for a price around £15m for their star striker. Following QPR’s relegation, it is understandable that the player wants to stay in the top flight next season. He has been on Chelsea’s radar but must realise that a move there would mean time mostly spent on the bench. He will be desperate to play regularly so that he can prove that his international call-up was not a fluke.

He could achieve this on the south coast.

Over the past few years, Southampton have pulled themselves back together from financial hardship. The money men in charge have put together a seemingly perfect formula since then, with the transformation most definitely complete after last season’s 7th place finish. This came in a season when many pundits had tipped The Saints to struggle or even flirt with relegation. Much of these predications came off the back of a turbulent summer transfer window where star performers were sold. Key though was the high transfer fees obtained and shrewd replacements purchased. This is not a team to be underestimated.

Much the same can be said of Charlie Austin. Not that long ago he was playing non-league football for Poole Town in the Wessex League. He has stepped up any time it’s been required maintaining a comfortable one in two goals per game ratio in League football with Swindon, Burnley and QPR. Always being suspected of being a top class Football League no. 9, nobody could have predicted the level of performances shown by the frontman in a team that had faltered from the outset.

One thing Southampton will be looking for is goals. The Saints maintained their impressive defensive record throughout the season but the goals did dry up for long spells. The same cannot be said for Austin with him showcasing a wide range of talents, including surprising finishing quality from the hitman.

While Chelsea have shown interest, he would be much more at home at Southampton with their style of play complementing his variety of finishing. Being a player that has worked so hard to climb the football pyramid, he is determined to stay at the pinnacle playing week-in week-out against the best this country has to offer.

Southampton is the sort of team that the Premier League imagined would prosper on its’ conception. It is the great mix of domestic and home-grown players, with foreign players adding different qualities and talents.

Whatever happens it looks for all the world the Charlie Austin will start the coming season within a Premier League squad. For me, there’s no better option than down at St Mary’s.

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