Chelsea target Charlie Austin: Harry Redknapp tells QPR star to snub Blues move for Newcastle

Former Queens Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp has urged his former striker Charlie Austin to snub a summer move to Chelsea and move to Newcastle United instead.

The 25-year-old recently expressed his intention to leave Loftus Road and play in the Premier League next season after his 18 goals in his debut campaign in the top flight were not enough to stop Rangers from being relegated.

"I feel like I've worked hard enough this season for QPR to try to be a Premier League player, but at the moment I've still got a year left, so what the future holds, that's up to the club and my agent to sort out," he said.

"I just want to be fully focused on these next two weeks with England, but then I'll speak to Chris and Les to tell them my thoughts and they'll tell me theirs."

And even though Sky Sports reported on 16 June that Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was on the verge of completing a deal for Radamel Falcao from Monaco on a season-long loan, Standard Sport reported the Portuguese boss was also keen on bringing Austin to Stamford Bridge.

Nevertheless, after Didier Drogba left the club, the Falcao would be a welcome addition who would replace the ex-Ivory Coast international while, according to Standard Sport, Austin would replace Loic Remy, as the France international is likely to move away to secure more regular time.

And despite having been heavily linked with a move to Newcastle, the Evening Standard later claimed the Blues were leading the race to secure the £15m ($24m) striker as the England international would prefer to stay in London.

But his former boss at Loftus Road urged Austin to rethink his plans and opt for a move to St James Park instead as with Diego Costa leading the front line, he will struggle for playing time at the west London club.

"A move to Newcastle would be the best one for Charlie Austin. He's rumoured to be on Chelsea's radar as well but, no disrespect to him, he won't make their starting line-up. They only play one up front and he's not going to replace Diego Costa," the former QPR and Tottenham manager wrote on Kicca.

"He's 25 and he's scored some good goals and I think Newcastle would be a good move for him and a good challenge. He's a good lad and knows Steve McClaren from when Steve was at QPR and I reckon he'll do well at Newcastle."