Reading FC have been linked with a summer transfer move for striker Charlie Austin.
The 32-year-old forward is available on a free transfer after his contract expired at Queens Park Rangers last month.
The Royals are likely to utilise the free agents market this summer due to being under a transfer embargo for the second season running and according to FootballInsider, Reading are interested in pursuing a move for Austin.
Austin, who was born in Berkshire, was part of Reading’s youth set up but was released by the club when he was 15.
After leaving Reading, Austin played at non-league level with Kintbury Rangers and Hungerford Town before securing a move to Swindon Town in 2009.
Having impressed in League One for the Robins, Austin moved to Burnley where he scored 45 goals in 90 appearances.
He then transferred to QPR where he continued his consistent goal scoring record and netted 48 times in 89 appearances.
His spell at QPR included a remarkable season in the Premier League where he scored 18 goals in 35 appearances in the top flight.
Austin spent four seasons at Southampton in the Premier League, scoring 20 times in 81 games before scoring 10 Championship goals for West Bromwich Albion in 2019/20.
Austin re-joined QPR in 2020/21 and notched 13 Championship goals in 55 games before he was released by the club last month.
