Conflicting reports emerge over Aston Villa’s alleged interest in QPR striker Charlie Austin

Follow us on Google Discover

The 26-year-old front man has been named as Tim Sherwood’s number one goalscoring target – but other reports tell a different story.

Aston Villa are on the hunt for attacking reinforcements as Christian Benteke edges closer towards a move to Liverpool, but there are conflicting reports over who Tim Sherwood is targeting.

According to the Mirror, the Villa manager plans to spend £15 million of the £32.5 million funds the club will receive from Benteke’s imminent sale on Queens Park Rangers striker Charlie Austin, who is expected to leave the Hoops this summer following their relegation back to the Championship.

The 26-year-old England hopeful is also said to be interesting Crystal Palace, Leicester City and Newcastle United after netting 18 goals in 35 Premier League appearances last season, but Sherwood hopes to use his relationship with QPR director of football and former Tottenham Hotspur colleague Les Ferdinand to smooth out a potential transfer

The Birmingham Mail, however, paints a different picture in their latest report on Sherwood’s transfer plans, claiming that Austin is not even on his list of possible Benteke replacements.

Instead, his number one target is reported to be out-of-favour Tottenham forward and long-time favourite Emmanuel Adebayor, who was brought in from the White Hart Lane wilderness by the then-Spurs boss for the second half of the 2013-14 season and proceeded to score 14 times in 24 games.

Sherwood’s interest in his former goalscoring ace has been well-documented of late, but the Togo international’s steep wage demands have continued to be cited as a major stumbling block.

In addition, despite becoming a peripheral figure in east London of late, the experienced front man’s signature is reported to cost as much as £5 million – although that fee is thought to be negotiable.

Taking into account age, recent form and sell-on value, the claret and blue faithful would likely much rather see the in-demand Austin make the move to Villa Park in the near future than the polarising Adebayor, but they may well have to settle for the latter if local rather than national reports are to be believed.