No surprise if he doesn't hold out for a free transfer and a massive signing fee to boost his bulging wage packet. There again it seems as though he signed for us for the same reason, maximum wage for the least effort. Hope he goes today.

Why should he? Saints were stupid enough to offer a massive contract .... he is up his own ass! in thinking, he still has the legs for the premiership ... he will warm the bench .... pick up his considerable pay packet every week - and be able to concentrate on his first love -- his horseracing activities.

Why should he? Only because he could get even more money for doing as little as possible.I presume you mean warming the bench at the training ground because it certainly won't be at St Mary's.

If he drops down a level to keep playing regularly I think it reflects well on him. He probably knows he needs to be playing to stay in shape so warming the bench for a year likely not put him in the best position as a free agent. He’s done well for saints and got RH his first win with the goal against Arsenal. For someone that cost 4mn I think we’ve had a good return from him. Can’t blame someone hoping to remain in the premier league and ultimately accepting their destiny in order to continue playing regularly...

People forget that Charlie Austin has one of the best shots to goals ratios since the Premier League began (at least I’ve heard that from a number of sources). I know from personal experience too that he doesn’t hang with a good crowd and lets himself down with his attitude on occasions. That said I don’t think it’s his fault Saints just went out and bought a goalscorer in the hope of papering over the cracks and an appalling goal drought! Whether that was to stop him scoring against us too may have been another factor! The fact is he can, and will, score goals if you’re going to pump balls into the box. We don’t. I recall seeing him busting a gut (to comical effect) out on the wing in the Europa League when he was played out on the wing and he still scored. Twice from memory. He never is going to be a modern day Premier League footballer, but I’m not sure it’s a lack of effort or commitment. His outburst after ‘that disallowed goal’ was TV brilliance and showed some proper passion for the cause – which was sadly missing from a number of other players at time. As Nick says he should go with our blessing. He cost naff all and I’ll treasure the goals he scored against Arsenal and Man U.

The first game I took my son to see was Saints vs Liverpool a few seasons ago (0-0 Austin missed a sitter, VVD was immense for us), and we saw Austin after the game in Winchester services on the M3, Burger King in one hand, a box of 12 Krispy Kreams in the other. Not the modern footballer by any stretch, but I am eternally grateful for that moment. Good luck Charlie 12 donuts.

I’m so bored and disappointed that I really does seem Southampton can’t sign 1 player without someone having to leave first .. Danny Wellbeck on a free to Watford .. Gary Cahill free to Crystal Palace ... Danny Drinkwater to Burnley ... and Victor Wanyamma has to find a club by 5.00pm today ... I would of taken all of them on ...
as I said yesterday were going to get who no one else seems to want ... we have said for a year we need new quality defenders and we haven’t signed one or sold one ..I don’t mind Cedric’ has not moved on or Bertrand ... but it’s the middle of defence we need ...

I'm suprised at how much bad feeling there is for Charlie. When we signed him he was exactly what we needed - a proven premier league goalscorer to give us a different option to Pelle when needed.

As a striker who picks up goals whenever the ball is pumped in to the box or during goalmouth scrambles, he was never going to score much under Puel or Pellegrini, when we passed the ball around 30m from the goal rather than putting players forward. And how many times have we spent the whole game hitting high crosses to the back post when Shane Long has been our lone striker, only to put Austin on in the 80th minute and completely stop delivering those balls, and instead give him through balls that he will never catch.

I think hes always tried hard for us and shown good desire, while being used in completely the wrong way. Its a shame it didnt work out better but at £4m he was a steal and he goes with my best wishes.

He goes with my gratitude, I wish it had worked out for him and us, but I blame th

I said midway through last season sell Shane Ling , Austin and Rodriguez and sign Eden Dzeko from Roma ... he was Europe’s leading scorer and had something to prove to the premiership ... he has handed in a transfer request and available for £18M ... how I would like to if seen him play with Che Adams ... and Harry Wilson who has gone to the noisy neighbours Bournemuff ...and still no central defenders which everyone in football knows is important ... and Gary Cahill goes to Crystal Palace ..... Grrrrrrr get the cheque book out today please

BathSaint ... Charlie Austin as good as he has been in the past has not the heart to play for Southampton in the premiership ... his life away from football ( horse racing ) and his personal life ...yes he’s a goal scorer when he gets the ball in the box ... but bit of a luxury and doesn’t really have premiership pace anymore ....Southampton have always had a big centre forward ... Beattie , crouch , Pelle which is why I really believed that Dzeko was ideal to play as our centre forward ..I just want the best for my club Southampton FC ... yet I feel like the kid in the playground that gets his diner money pinched every week .. and the only Saints fan in the school ..

Charlie Austin is Red and white I don't doubt that, his goals have been priceless and most are match winners he goes with my blessing for sure coyr