QPR make Hoilett and Traore available on free transfers

QPR have made Junior Hoilett and Armand Traore available on free transfers ahead of Tuesday’s transfer deadline.

Rangers have been keen to offload Hoilett, 25, for some time and would now let him go for no fee if a club came in for him.

The Canadian wants to leave and there has been some interest among German clubs, but none have made an offer.

He has played in Germany previously, having had loan spells at Paderborn and St Pauli before establishing himself in Blackburn Rovers’ first team.

Traore, also 25, is free to leave as well but has indicated that he would rather stay and in any case is carrying an injury. Both players’ contracts expire at the end of the season. 

Head coach Chris Ramsey, despite refusing to name Hoilett, hinted that he did not want to select him for QPR again following his display in the recent League Cup defeat at home to Carlisle.

“When I’ve played for QPR I might have given the impression I don’t care enough, but God knows I care.”
Armand Traore, speaking to West London Sport last year

Hoilett has failed to impress since being signed from Blackburn in 2012 and has started just 47 league matches in his three years in west London.

He was impressive in the first few matches of the 2013/2014 campaign, prompting speculation that he could be snapped up by another club.

Hoilett has a £7m release clause in his contract and QPR would have accepted less, but no offers were made and both his form and market value have since deteriorated.

Traore has been at Loftus Road a year longer, making just 62 league starts. His performances and fitness problems since arriving from Arsenal for £2m mean Rangers have spent much of his time at the club trying to offload him.

However, he had a decent run of form towards the end of the season before last and was given a new two-year deal following Rangers’ promotion back to the Premier League.

Harry Redknapp, R’s manager at the time, then decided he wanted to sell Traore and an offer from Crystal Palace was accepted, but the player refused to move.