QPR director of football Les Ferdinand has warned interested clubs that Charlie Austin will not be sold on the cheap this summer, even though the Super Hoops have been relegated to the Championship.

The Rs’ 6-0 drubbing at Manchester City on Sunday confirmed their stay in the top tier will be restricted to one season, but the form of their hit-man has been a shining light.

Austin has netted an incredible 17 goals for QPR in league action, which is a tally only bettered by Diego Costa, Harry Kane and Sergio Aguero.

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Naturally there is interest in the player, with Newcastle and Southampton watching him alongside clubs such as Liverpool, Crystal Palace and promoted side, Bournemouth, according to reports.

However, despite serious financial concerns at Loftus Road, Ferdinand told the London Evening Standard that Austin will not be sold on the cheap:

"This club isn't going to be a bargain bucket. Charlie has had a fantastic year in terms of scoring in the Premier League with 17 in his debut season.

"He is fourth in the list of top scorers and that is in a team which has been relegated. That is a phenomenal strike rate.

"We can gloss over it as much as we want, but people are going to court him, people are going to come after him.

"Can we keep him? We are going to sit down with Charlie and talk to him. But it will come down to him and his agent to decide what's best for Charlie Austin.

"But I'm not even going to talk about what figure we will ask for from other clubs because we are going to try and keep him."

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