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According to The Telegraph, Southampton are prepared to allow Charlie Austin to leave the club before the end of the January transfer window.

What’s the story?

Austin joined Southampton from Queens Park Rangers in January 2016.

It is difficult to say that the forward has been a failure at St. Mary’s considering that he has scored 20 times in all competitions for the Saints (Transfermarkt).

However, Austin has managed just two Premier League goals this term, and he has struggled for action since Ralph Hasenhuttl became head coach in December.

Austin simply does not fit into Hasenhuttl’s style of football and according to The Telegraph, he can leave for the right price this month.

Losing the 29-year-old at this stage of the season would be a huge risk, however, considering Southampton’s position entering the final months of the campaign.

Should Southampton let him leave?

Austin’s Premier League record is 34 goals in 97 appearances, suggesting that the striker certainly knows how to find the back of the net at the top level when given the right kind of service.

Southampton recorded a 2-1 win over Everton in the Premier League last time out, but the Saints are far from safe in the top flight.

Indeed, Hasenhuttl’s side are just three points clear of the relegation zone and have already allowed Manolo Gabbiadini to leave the club this month (BBC Sport).

It would be a huge risk to let Austin leave at this stage of the season as well.

Austin will only have 12 months left on his Southampton contract this summer and a move at the end of the 2018/19 campaign makes sense for all parties.

It would be incredibly short-sighted for the club to allow a proven goalscorer at this level to depart this month when considering the ramifications of a possible relegation.