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Sources: Reading plotting to sign ex-QPR striker Charlie Austin
Reading have set their sights on signing former QPR striker Charlie Austin this summer, Football Insider understands.
The 32-year-old is available as a free agent with his contract at Loftus Road expiring at the end of June.
A recruitment source has told Football Insider that Reading’s director of football Mark Bowen is a big admirer of Austin having worked with him during their time together at Southampton.
Bowen believes the experienced centre-forward would be a key addition to Reading’s strike force ahead of next season.
Austin is on the hunt for a new club after QPR chose not to offer him a new deal.
Speaking to talkSPORT (6 May), Austin revealed that he feels let down by the club and expected to be “treated a little bit better.”
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The striker scored seven goals in 38 appearances across all competitions for the Hoops in the 2021-22 campaign.
In total, Austin scored 61 goals in 148 games for the Championship side.
The Englishman has also enjoyed prolific spells at Burnley, West Brom, Swindon Town and Southampton – the club where became acquainted with Mark Bowen.
Reading confirmed the return of Bowen to Select Car Leasing Stadium last month (16 May).
He has been appointed as the club’s new head of football operations.
The Royals narrowly avoided relegation in the 2021-22 campaign.
They finished four points ahead of 22nd-placed Peterborough United.
In other news, a source has revealed that Nottingham Forest and Norwich City are in a race to sign a Cameroon defender this summer.