AFC Bournemouth are set to make a move for Queens Park Rangers striker Charlie Austin in January according to The Mirror. The Cherries have a new co-owner and he has agreed to provide funds in the next transfer window to help boost the squad.
Maxim Demin agreed to part way with 25% of his shares and sell them to Matt Hulsizer, who is the owner of an American ice hockey side Minnesota Wild. His private equity investment company, Peak 6, have been holding negotiations ever since the pair met at a AFC Bournemouth’s pre-season in America earlier this year.
Peak 6 are said to be keen on sanctioning funds for manager Eddie Howe to improve his squad and Austin, who was a target for the club over the summer, is said to be one of top targets. The 26-year-old, who has stated on many occasions that he does plan on remaining at QPR for the rest of the season at least, has recently recovered from injury and is now back in the squad.
However they are undergoing a managerial change following the departure of Chris Ramsey last week. Neil Warnock remains as the interim head coach, but the likes of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Nigel Pearson, Tim Sherwood and Warnock himself have been linked to the role full-time. That could set some doubt in Austin’s mind regarding his short-term future at the club, so AFC Bournemouth are looking increasingly likely to chance their hand in the transfer market with a bid.
