Southampton’s £8m striker Charlie Austin to spark four-way transfer scramble with both Aston Villa and Crystal Palace keen

CHARLIE AUSTIN is an £8million target for FOUR clubs - with bids getting launched this week.

Southampton have decided Austin can leave the club this summer and are waiting for offers to come in.

Aston Villa and Crystal Palace both want to keep the 29-year-old in the Premier League next season.

While Fulham and West Brom are also prepared to meet Southampton's asking price to make Austin part of their Championship promotion challenge next year.

The quartet of clubs have all come forward in the race for the ex-QPR striker as Ralph Hasenhuttl lets him leave St Mary's after three-and-a-half years on the south coast.

Saints boss Hasenhuttl and Austin have spoken openly about his future since the Austrian's arrival last season.

He guided the club to Premier League survival after changing the style of play at the club - and the forward's game is not suited to the way Saints want to use.

There had been several offers for the forward during the January transfer window, but only on a loan basis.

Saints knocked back the interest from rival top flight teams back then because they were only keen on striking a permanent deal.

Cash bids were lodged from Championship clubs but Austin wanted to stay in the Prem and challenge for a place in Southampton's team in the second half of the season.