Several Premier League clubs are interested in the striker
Bookmakers all across the country have stopped taking bets from punters who believe Charlie Austin is on his way to West Ham United.
Austin’s current club, Queens Park Rangers, have slapped a huge £15 million price tag on the goalscorer, who could well be Slaven Bilic’s second signing for the Hammers since taking over from Sam Allardyce.
The England international may be following midfielder Pedro Obiang to the Olympic Stadium for the 2015/16 Premier League season.
Newcastle United were recently one of the favourites to sign Austin as well, after Toon legend Alan Shearer sent the forward a tongue in cheek message via social media website Twitter.
According to the Daily Star, clubs as big as Liverpool and Chelsea were also rumoured to be interested in the QPR hotshot, however, West Ham have emerged as the hot favourites in the betting world.
Betfair are just one example
Michael Bowers, the Football Trader for Betfair, said: “We’ve now suspended betting on Charlie Austin signing for the Hammers after an avalanche of bets at odds as short as 5/4. This morning West Ham were 4/1 but were cut to 5/4 favourite after huge support.”
He also added: “This market has been the one to watch in recent days with three clubs battling it out for Austin’s signature.”
Despite this, Bowers reckons that West Ham’s biggest battle to sign the centre forward will be with London rivals Chelsea. The Blues’ boss Jose Mourinho is looking for another striker after the departure of fan favourite Didier Drogba.
“Chelsea looked set to seal the deal with punters backing them in to 13/8 favourites but West Ham will certainly provide more opportunity for the young centre-forward to flourish and it would seem Austin has recognised that,” suggested Bowers.
The 25-year old Austin scored 18 goals in 36 appearances in all competitions last campaign. He averaged a goal every two games in a season that ended in relegation to the Championship for the R’s.
