Jarvis WILL NOT be used as bait to snare Austin

West Ham have scoffed at newspaper stories claiming  a swoop for QPR’s Charlie Austin could be on – with Matt Jarvis thrown in as bait.

The reports emerged again this morning and immediately gained some currency among supporters. But a well-placed ClaretandHugh source revealed the claims have no foundation.

Jarvis has seen plenty of pre-season game time as the club have tried to provide a shop window for the £10 million winger.

The former Wolves man has consistently failed to play up to the price we forked out when former boss Sam Allardyce made it clear he was among his major targets.

Since last season the Hammers have been ready to loan or sell the player but there has been no interest.

Now it seems stories have been manufactured suggest that Rangers would take the player in a deal which would see Austin arrive for a cash fee of around £10 million.

Our source scoffed: “An Austin/Jarvis swap is the sort of deal you dream about but  sadly nobody has mentioned it.”