Newcastle United target Southampton star Charlie Austin

Bengaluru, July 26: Newcastle United reportedly have a chance to sign Southampton forward Charlie Austin, who is said to have had a fall-out with the Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl.

Reports claim that Newcastle have an opportunity to sign the 30-year-old Englishman.

Austin reportedly had a dressing room spat with Saints manager Hasenhuttl after being left out of the squad to travel for their pre-season matches, according to reports in England.

The former QPR striker has a year remaining on his current contract with Southampton, but struggled to find regular first team football under Hasenhuttl last season, making only three starts under the Austrian manager.

Hasenhuttl himself said back in April that Austin should find a new club. As quoted by the Mirror, the 51-year old said: “Charlie is very clear on the situation that in the summer he must find another option where he plays more often. It depends how much he wants to play.

"That’s a situation you can handle for a few months or even a year but not for five years because you are not born as a footballer to sit on the bench and not play.

“If he comes to me and says, 'Manager it was very nice to help you, it was very nice to be successful with your team, but I want to play more minutes and that’s why I want to leave.’ I’m the last guy who says you cannot. For every situation we find a solution and hopefully the best for the team and for him.”

Reports in England also state that Newcastle United are eager to make more summer signings while their keeper Martin Dubravka is potentially being eyed by PSG, which Newcastle will be keen to avoid given his importance to the team.

So far, Newcastle have signed Brazilian striker Joelinton from Bundesliga club Hoffenheim for a club record fee of £40 million.

Right now, the Magpies have three players in the centre-forward department in Joelinton, Dwight Gayle who spent last season on loan at West Brom, and Yoshinori Muto.

The addition of Austin could be useful for them as they’ll be looking to improve on the 13th place Premier League finish last season under their new boss Steve Bruce.