TheSportsCampus

Burnley’s Charlie Austin is Europe’s first striker to reach the 20 goal mark this season and it comes as no surprise that Premier League clubs are battling it out to acquire the 23 year old’s signature. The Daily Mail has alleged that the Englishman has been observed by Premier League scouts in his last five games and that the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle and Everton are keeping a close eye on his progress, in the Championship, as the season edges closer to the January transfer window.

Burnley signed Austin almost two years ago from Swindon Town for a fee of £1.5 million and the club will surely be looking at a far greater valuation of the player despite him playing just one full season in the Championship.

Austin is a proven goal-scorer, having notched up goals for previous clubs Poole Town and Kintbury Town in the lower leagues while also shining for Swindon in League One with over 30 goals for them in his two seasons at the County Ground.

The player maybe a sharpshooter at lower levels of the English football system but one is sceptical of his ability to shine at the highest level. There is no doubt that he is an excellent goal scorer but to be a success at the Barclays Premier League, a lot more may be required.

Chances are the Premier League big guns will wait till the end of the season to see if Austin can maintain his form, and should he be able to lead Burnley to promotion, the club will probably do their best to try and hang on to him. A move to a bigger club might well be in Austin's future, but he could well be a season or two away from such an opportunity arising.