Newcastle United will offer Charlie Austin their No 9 jersey this week as they step up their efforts to land their top transfer target.

The Magpies thought they were at the front of the queue to sign the Queens Park Rangers striker and had hoped to conclude a deal in the same week that Steve McClaren was confirmed as the new head coach.

Austin, however, was never going to make such an early decision on his future amid interest from several clubs, with West Ham the latest to join the race for the £15million-rated frontman.

Charlie Austin will be offered the opportunity to wear the iconic No 9 shirt for Newcastle if he signs

Austin's 18 domestic goals last season was bettered only by Sergio Aguero, Harry Kane and Diego Costa

But with Newcastle and McClaren desperate to lay down a marker ahead of what is a pivotal summer for the club, they will now present a package to Austin’s camp which includes the No.9 shirt worn by Alan Shearer.

Last season’s top scorer Papiss Cisse currently holds the jersey, but the injury-plagued 30-year-old is expected to move on before the start of the season.