Burnley have emerged as Town’s main rivals for the signature of Swindon striker Charlie Austin with the Blues so far unable to agree personal terms with the highly-rated 21-year-old. The Robins frontman was locked in talks at Portman Road yesterday after the clubs agreed a fee believed to be approaching £2 million.

The Blues are understood to have offered Austin a three-and-a-half-year deal but are yet to match the terms required by the former Poole striker.

Now Burnley have matched Town’s offer and have been given permission to speak to the former Poole frontman with talks taking place today.

Blackpool and Southampton have also expressed an interest in the one-time bricklayer but have not yet had bids accepted by the Robins.

Austin knows new Burnley boss Eddie Howe well having come close to joining his former club Bournemouth before he signed for Swindon. The Cherries were unable to complete his signing as they had a transfer embargo in place at the time and he moved to Swindon instead.

However, Austin is believed to want to remain in this south if possible and a switch to Town is understood to appeal, if he can agree terms.

Story syndicated from TWTD.co.uk

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