Mark Warburton's Queens Park Rangers side are interested in signing on-loan striker Charlie Austin on a permeant basis this summer.

What's the talk?

That's according to Football League World, who revealed that QPR are quietly confident of securing a deal for the West Bromwich Albion centre-forward at the end of the current season.

FLW claim that, while the £52,000-per-week salary of Austin could pose a problem for a side with one of the smaller wage budgets in the Championship, QPR are looking to offer the 31-year-old a deal that incentivises goals scored and promotion from the league in order to convince him of a move to Loftus Road.

Bhatia must move

Having joined QPR on loan back in January, Austin has already proven in his short time back at the club that he is still very much capable of doing a job in the second tier of English football.

Over his 19 league appearances for Warburton's side this term, the £1.8 million-rated striker has scored six goals, registered one assist and has created two big chances, as well as taking an average of 2.4 shots and making 0.6 key passes per game, culminating in an average SofaScore match rating of 6.93 - ranking him as the club's best performing forward, as well as their eighth-best player overall.

As such, while the play-offs are out of the question this term, should Warburton wish to give his side the best possible chance of securing a top-six finish next time around, Amit Bhatia must do all he can to land Austin on a permanent deal over the summer as, with a pre-season under his belt, as well as a full league campaign in which to make an impact, the 31-year-old could prove vital to a QPR promotion push.

And with Football League World also reporting that the centre-forward - who Harry Redknapp claimed always "works his socks off" - could be convinced of a move to the MLS, it would be highly advisable for the QPR chairman to begin talks with Austin sooner rather than later or he risks him moving elsewhere.