Transfer news & gossip: Blues linked with defenders, QPR duo could move on
A round-up of the latest transfer news and speculation involving the area’s clubs.
• Chelsea keen on Gibson and Keane – Mail
• Christensen delays decision on future
• QPR plan to listen to offers for duo
• Rangers still keen on French youngster
Blues linked with duo
Chelsea are interested in Middlesbrough’s Ben Gibson and Burnley’s Michael Keane as potential future signings, according to the Daily Mail.
The pair join a long list of centre-backs to have been touted as a possible long-term replacements for Blues skipper John Terry.
The Mail say Chelsea “have begun an intensive scouting drive” for central defenders and that the Premier League’s homegrown player regulations mean the club are keeping a particular eye on British defenders.
Gibson and Keane have both got excellent reviews from Chelsea scouts and are now targets for boss Antonio Conte, it is claimed.
Christensen delays decision on future
Andreas Christensen has told German newspaper Bild he will not consider his future until the end of the season.
The Danish defender, 20, has impressed while on loan from Chelsea at Borussia Mönchengladbach, who are keen to sign him on a permanent deal.
West London Sport revealed in July that Chelsea had rejected an offer of around £14m from the Bundesliga club.
And Christensen says he has yet to decide whether he would like to stay in Germany or return to Stamford Bridge and attempt to secure a first-team place.
Doughty and JET could move on
QPR are likely to listen to any offers for Michael Doughty and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas when the transfer window reopens in January.
Doughty, 23, and Emmanuel-Thomas, 25, have impressed since making season-long loan moves to Swindon and Gillingham respectively.
Youth product Doughty is a long way down the pecking order of midfielders at Loftus Road, while forward Emmanuel-Thomas is not in manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s plans.
QPR still keen on French youngster
QPR remain interested in Paris St-Germain’s Roli Pereira and are continuing to monitor him ahead of a possible January move.
West London Sport recently revealed Rangers attempted to push through a deal to sign France Under-19 forward Pereira in the final hours of the recent transfer window but were unable to do so.
However, they plan to try again when the transfer window reopens in the new year.
Ferdinand explains Kpekawa move
Les Ferdinand has told West London Sport that Cole Kpekawa needed to leave QPR for the good of his career.
The 20-year-old defender joined Barnsley ahead of last week’s transfer deadline.
West London Sport had revealed that Barnsley had made an offer, later revealed that a fee had been agreed, and then revealed Kpekawa had been sold partly because of concerns over his condition and attitude.
And Rangers director of football Ferdinand has insisted that he and manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink tried hard to get the best out of Kpekawa before deciding to let him go.
QPR still want Hoilett
QPR still want Junior Hoilett to return to Loftus Road.
Manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink hoped the Canadian winger would sign a new deal when his contract expired during the summer.
Hoilett, 26, made it clear straight after the end of last season that he was keen to leave and had no intention of re-signing.
But with Hoilett still without a club after being unable to secure the top-flight move he wanted, Rangers are still looking to tempt him back.
Eshun joins R’s on scholarship deal
Teenage forward Kingsley Eshun has joined QPR on an 18-month scholarship deal.
Eshun, 17, was previously on Brentford’s books and more recently played for non-League AFC Wembley.
