Aston Villa move closer to Burnley's Charlie Austin

Aston Villa were today moving closer to a £4.5million raid for Burnley striker Charlie Austin – as Crystal Palace chased Darren Bent.

The Clarets forward is on manager Paul Lambert's transfer wishlist as he plots another summer rebuild at Villa Park.

Lambert is a long-time admirer of the 23-year-old and watched him while boss at Norwich manager and the player is believed to be interested in a move.

Austin has one year left on his deal at Turf Moor and around £4.5million would tempt the Clarets to cash in on their prized asset.

Villa face competition from Hull, Celtic and Newcastle with Sunderland also weighing up a bid.

Austin has scored 45 times in 90 games for Burnley since joining from Swindon in 2011 and hit 28 goals this season, despite the Clarets finishing 11th in the Championship.

Villa will need a new hitman with Bent set for a summer exit and Andreas Weimann's future still in doubt, although the Austrian is expected to sign a new deal.

Premier League new-boys Palace are monitoring Bent after their 1-0 Championship play-off win over Watford on Monday banked them an estimated £120million.

The Eagles want to bolster their frontline with Wilfried Zaha linking up with Manchester United, after finishing his loan spell as part of the £15million deal which took him to Old Trafford in January.

Top scorer Glenn Murray, who hit 31 goals, is also out until, at least, Christmas with a cruciate knee ligament injury leaving Palace short of firepower.

Bent reportedly favours a move to London, with Fulham also linked to a £4million switch, after a season on the sidelines at Villa Park where he made just 12 starts.

He can leave Villa if they receive an acceptable offer, but the club are also comfortable keeping the £24million man if he fails to land a move.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Shay Given, who revealed yesterday he is ready to quit, could be set for a £1million move to Hull.

The Tigers are hunting a new shot-stopper after being priced out of a deal for Fulham loanee David Stockdale, who helped them to promotion.

Given is available for a cut-price fee, with Villa keen to get his £60,000-a-week off the wage bill.