West Bromwich Albion reportedly failed in their attempt to sign Southampton striker Charlie Austin this summer.
It is looking increasingly likely that Charlie Austin may end the transfer window still on Southampton’s books, despite Sky Sports reporting that he is available to leave St Mary’s this summer.
Austin has been linked with a host of clubs during the window, with The Sun suggesting that Aston Villa and West Brom have been amongst the teams to consider a move for the 30-year-old.
The Sun’s report noted that Austin – who apparently stunned teammates with his training ground rant at Ralph Hasenhuttl after finding out that he was not going to be working with the first-team in pre-season – rejected a move to the Hawthorns.
But with the deadline looming on the horizon, it is starting to appear that his decision to turn down the chance to join Slaven Bilic’s men may have been a big mistake.
With both Che Adams and Danny Ings impressing in pre-season, it is looking extremely unlikely that Austin could get a chance to force his way back into the picture, especially following his reported row with Hasenhuttl.
Meanwhile, with other Premier League clubs getting their business done, it is becoming increasingly difficult to imagine any side offering him the chance to stay in the top flight.
When talk of a potential move to West Brom came about, Bilic’s men looked to be in desperate need of adding to their striker ranks with Dwight Gayle returning to Newcastle at the end of his loan, and Jay Rodriguez joining Burnley.
They arguably still need further additions, but they have signed Kenneth Zohore, so they may be reluctant to make a move for a player who is likely to be on a very good contract at St Mary’s, and hardly likely to make further improvements during his career.
He could have potentially become West Brom’s talisman for the coming season. But instead, Austin now looks to be in danger of not securing a move away at all and enduring an incredibly frustrating spell completely out of the picture.
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