CHARLIE Austin has not been the subject of a bid from Birmingham City, according to chairman Andrew Fitton.

After Austin struck twice in the 4-2 demolition of Charlton Athletic at The Valley on Monday night, BBC ‘Football League Show’ pundit Steve Claridge suggested the Premiership strugglers had tabled a £2million offer for the 17-goal hotshot.

That would add the Blues to a long list of rumoured suitors eyeing the 21-year-old during the January transfer window that includes QPR, Millwall and Hull.

But Fitton told the Advertiser he has received no such enquiry from Alex McLeish’s side, saying: “I’m not avoiding any phone calls and I haven’t received one from them.”

Meanwhile, boss Danny Wilson has insisted Town will do their best for striking sensation Austin as the race for his signature gathers pace.

Wilson admitted the striker would outgrow League One in time but said that, in the interim, the club would do their utmost to secure the best deal for him.

“It may be frustrating from the player’s point of view, but I think Charlie knows of all the things we’ve helped him with so far,” he said.

“From his non-league and all through every little period we’ve helped him very well and I really believe that’s what we’re going to do for him.

“We’re not going to mess him around so he doesn’t get his dream but we have to manage it properly and I think he has the confidence that we’ll do that for him.”

The County Ground boss confirmed Swindon have already rejected several approaches from Championship clubs for the starlet.

And the Advertiser understands Reading are the latest side to enquire about the chance of securing Austin’s services, with the Berkshire club reputedly ready to offer players as well as cash in any deal.

But for now Wilson reiterated that the forward remained out of the shop window.

“He’s not for sale and until that money becomes real money on the table, and it’s hard, and it’s what we think he might be worth then we’ll just keep turning it down, which is fantastic from my point of view,” he said.

“There’s lots of clubs done the same (made a bid for Austin) and they’ve had the same answer. It’s not anything that we’re looking to do. The boy’s red hot, so we’ve got to keep hold of him for as long as we possibly can.”