The Southampton striker has struggled for regular game-time this season.
Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhüttl addressed the media today, and admitted that Charlie Austin could be sold before Thursday’s transfer deadline, should an opportunity arise for him to move clubs, as quoted by Sky Sports.
The 29-year-old joined the Saints from Queens Park Rangers in January 2016, for around £4 million, (BBC Sport) and he has gone on to score 20 goals in 72 appearances in all competitions for the south coast club.
He has hardly featured for Southampton from the start since Hasenhüttl took over at St Mary’s on December 5th, however, and a move away from the club seems to be the ideal outcome for all parties involved.
The Austrian spoke to reporters during his pre-match press conference today, and admitted that he would not stand in Austin’s way, if the striker does in fact want to leave the Saints, as quoted by Sky Sports:
“He is 100 per cent professional. But like every player he wants to start from the beginning and if there is not the option here in Southampton then maybe he will be looking for another club where he has this option. We don’t send any player away but if there is a different option for him it can be he is an option for another club.”
Having already sold Manolo Gabbiadini, Southampton will surely bring in another striker if Austin does end up leaving.
The Saints are far from safe from the threat of relegation, and they will need more firepower in the final third if they are to move away from the drop zone during the second half of the campaign.
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