QPR transfer news: Charlie Austin reveals move to Manchester United 'was never on the cards' but he did turn down Premier League return

Austin rejected a summer move to a Premier League club, but insists Manchester United never made an approach for him

QPR striker Charlie Austin rejected a summer move to the Premier League (Getty Images)

Queens Park Rangers striker Charlie Austin has rubbished the summer reports linking him with a move to Manchester United and insisted that it was "never on the cards" during a transfer window that saw him constantly linked with a move away from the Championship club.

QPR were relegated from the Premier League at the end of last season, which unsurprisingly saw their best players with links elsewhere to try and balance the books. One of those was star striker Austin, who saw intense interest come from a number of clubs that included Crystal Palace, West Brom and Leicester.

Having been valued at £15m, Austin looked to be one of the deadline day deals that would go down to the wire, only for the English forward to commit his future to Rangers via a well-timed Twitter post that only went to strengthen the close relationship he has with fans at Loftus Road.

But at one point during the summer, Manchester United were linked with Austin in a bid to add to their thin attack that at the time saw just Wayne Rooney and James Wilson available to manager Louis van Gaal after he elected to sell Robin van Persie and let Radamel Falcao return to Monaco following a loan spell.

Less than a fortnight after electing to stay at QPR, Austin has spoken out to confirm that United was never an option from his point of view.

Asked on TalkSPORT if United attempted to sign him, Austin said: "No. That was never on the cards. Not from what I'm aware of."

Having revealed to The Independent that he chose not to move because the available options were not right for him at a pivotal time in his career, Austin will face another big decision at the end of his season when his current deal expires.

QPR could yet return to the Premier League and offer Austin another chance in the top flight should they gain promotion this season, but he made it perfectly clear that he wants to play for an “established Premier League club” that may result in seeking pastures new in 2016.