QPR looking to agree Leistner pay-off

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QPR are looking to reach a financial settlement with Toni Leistner after telling the defender he is not in Mark Warburton’s plans for the coming season.

Leistner recently returned from his native Germany after Cologne opted not to take up an option to sign him on a permanent deal.


He joined the Bundesliga outfit on loan in January.

German and English clubs have been made aware of his availability but so far no offers have come in for him.

QPR are therefore now looking to agree a pay-off that would see the remainder of Leistner’s contract terminated, enabling him to move on as a free agent.

Manager Warburton has told the player he wants to bring in a new, younger centre-back and that Leistner can leave.

QPR manager Mark Warburton
Warburton is keen to make signings this summer

Leistner, who has a year left on his Rangers deal, has made 65 Championship appearances since arriving from Union Berlin two years ago.

He was made captain and was a mainstay of the defence under Warburton’s predecessor Steve McClaren.

West London Sport revealed soon after Warburton took over that Leistner was out of favour under the new boss and that QPR were looking to offload him along with Massimo Luongo.

Sheffield Wednesday came in for Luongo but there were no takers for Leistner, who was stripped of the captaincy but ended up regaining his place in the team.

But he was shipped out to Cologne after the transfer window reopened and Warburton has made it clear there is no way back for him.

Rangers’ search for a centre-back

QPR are keen to bring in at least one centre-back before the new season begins.

They want Rob Dickie but several clubs are also interested in the Oxford United defender.

Charlie Goode was identified as a possible option and an approach was made to Northampton, but he recently joined Brentford.

Rangers would like any deal with Fulham for Ebere Eze to include Alfie Mawson.

West London Sport revealed on Saturday that Fulham are keen on Eze and have joined Crystal Palace and West Ham in declaring an interest in the R’s forward.

But a deal for Mawson would not be straightforward given his high wages and the prospect of Premier League football following Fulham’s promotion.

Meanwhile, Championship clubs have been made aware of the potential availability of Charlton’s Tom Lockyer.

A clause in the Welshman’s contract enables him to move on a free transfer after the Addicks’ relegation.