Bournemouth, Leicester and Aston Villa interested in signing Charlie Austin if Southampton get relegated

CHARLIE AUSTIN will have no shortage of suitors if Southampton get relegated from the Premier League, according to reports.

The 28-year-old has netted eight times this season for the Saints, during a poor season on the South Coast.

2

The club are currently hovering just below the drop zone on 28 points, two behind Crystal Palace, who are in 17th.

Austin has also just come back from injury after a hamstring tear ruled him out for around two months, but he played 82 minutes in the 3-0 defeat to West Ham.

The former QPR and Burnley man was playing for Poole Town in 2008-09 and Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe signed him for Burnley during his brief stint at Turf Moor in 2011.

Leicester are also potential suitors, with Claude Puel having worked with Austin at St Mary's before being sacked earlier this season.

TRANSFER NEWS

MOR OR LESS

Ruben Amorim has theory on who's behind bombshell Marcus Rashford interview

DANE DEAL

Zidane will only return to management for 2 teams in huge blow to Man Utd

DON'T RASH

Man Utd warned Rashford exit could come back to haunt them if he joins Prem foes

MOR OR LESS

Gary Neville gives damning verdict on 'inevitable ending' for Marcus Rashford

2

And Steve Bruce's promotion-chasing Aston Villa would want him if they get back into the Premier League.

The Villans are likely to be in the Championship playoffs as things stand, with the Birmingham club seven points behind Cardiff and two behind Fulham in fourth with six games to play.

HEAD BOY Watch Cristiano Ronaldo's subline overhead kick that has sent the football world crazy

And Austin has hardly shone this season as the Saints have struggled to put the ball in the back of the net.

But five goals in seven games before his injury suggested the England international was ready to go on a hot streak.