Aston Villa linked with £15m summer swoop for Charlie Austin

Aston Villa have been linked with a £15m summer bid for Queens Park Rangers striker Charlie Austin.

Villans boss Tim Sherwood has shortlisted the Hoops hitman as a potential replacement for top scorer Christian Benteke, according to the Daily Star.

Benteke has been tipped to leave Villa Park at the end of the season and is expected to make a decision about his future over the summer.

A host of other clubs, including Newcastle United and Southampton, are believed to be interested in Austin, who has netted 17 goals for relegated QPR this term.

Villa could apparently double the forward's £28,000-a-week wages without breaking the bank, but reports suggest that QPR's asking price will be around £20m.