New Queens Park Rangers manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has admitted that the club's star man Charlie Austin could still be sold in January, according to SkySports. 

As much as Hasselbaink would love to retain the former Burnley striker and tie him to a long term contract, he admits the decision is not entirely in his hands as the club approach the dreaded January transfer window.

He is aware that the club may decide to cash in rather than lose him for nothing at the end of the season, which may harm their chances of promotion if they are unable to find a suitable replacement.

 

He told SkySports: 'Everyone wants to make profit and at the end of the day it’s a business. We have to understand that, as a manager and as a club.’'

Should QPR decide to cash in on their prized asset, it is likely they would want at least £10million for his signature despite his current deal expiring in around six month’s time.

Austin scored a remarkable 18 times in the Premier League last season for QPR, and although this couldn’t prevent the West London club from relegation, he was widely expected to be snapped up by a top-flight club during the summer.

However, questions about his fitness and the club’s high asking price meant that the window shut with Austin still a Rangers player, to the delight of many QPR fans.

Despite this, he has continued to find the back of the net during the current campaign with a vital brace in Tuesday night’s 2-2 draw with high-flying Brighton & Hove Albion, which takes his tally to nine goals in his last 16 league games.

Austin is a vital factor in QPR’s promotion ambitions although his deal is set to expire in the summer, and therefore he has again been linked with a transfer back to the Premier League and even as far as Italy.

When asked if he might seek a transfer when the window reopens, Austin replied: 'I set out at the start of the season and I said to Les [Ferdinand] that I’m going to be here for the rest of the season. So I’m not going anywhere.'

This sounds promising for Rangers fans, although the club may feel that it will be the only opportunity they get to gain a fee for the player and with his value in the region of around £10 million, they may feel that it will be of higher benefit to cash in on their star man.

QPR fans... what do you make of the comments? Should you cash in on Austin or let him leave for nothing if it means the club can be promotion contenders? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!