“Could be a good bit of business” – Reading eyeing move for ex-QPR man: The verdict

According to Football Insider, the Royals are hoping to secure a move for the forward this summer.

The Englishman spent the previous 18 months in London, where he scored 13 league goals across two campaigns.

Here we ask our FLW writers their verdict on the possibility of Austin joining Paul Ince’s side… 

Charlie Austin can still do a job in the Championship, so if Reading land him then it could be a good bit of business.

He might not be the same player he once was – he last managed a double digit amount of goals in the 2019/20 campaign – but that doesn’t mean he can’t still hit the back of the net. Five goals in 15 starts last time out shows he can still offer plenty, even if just in rotation.

Reading will need goals in their side to help them avoid relegation again, especially if Lucas Joao leaves. In that respect then, a signing like Austin is definitely needed and his experience could be invaluable.

Are there better options out there who are younger with more potential? Probably. But for the budget the Royals have and the players available, Austin could be excellent as a signing for them.

This would be a strong signing for Reading. Despite the 32-year-old only scoring five goals this season, his experience in the Championship cannot be under appreciated.

Across eight seasons in the Championship over his career, the striker has scored 88 goals and hit double figures consistently in those seasons.

It’s definitely an area where Reading need to strengthen considering John Swift has left the club and Lucas Joao being linked with a move away. The club will needs goals especially as they try and look for more success than they achieved this season.

Austin would best be used in a team with another goal scorer but he would