QPR playmaker Luke Freeman has admitted his ‘head was turned’ by interest from Middlesbrough during the summer.
Rangers turned down approaches from Boro for the 26-year-old, who has been a key player since being signed from Bristol City in January last year.
Freeman insists he is more than happy at QPR, who have endured a troubled season so far and are seriously hampered by Financial Fair Play restrictions.
Promotion-chasing Boro, on the other hand, are currently fourth in the Championship and would have offered him a very realistic prospect of Premier League football next season.
And Freeman acknowledged: “It was difficult. I’d be lying if I said my head wasn’t turned, because to some extent it was.
“When you’re a player and there’s the possibility of joining a club that might well be in the Premier League next season, of course that’s something you think about.”
Regarded as a precocious talent when Arsenal signed him as a teenager, Freeman left the north London club without making a first-team appearance.
His aim during subsequent spells at Stevenage, Bristol City and now QPR has always been an eventual chance to show what he can do in the top flight.
“Every player wants to play in the Premier League and I’m not going to lie and say it wasn’t on my mind when that (interest in him) was happening,” Freeman said.
“But what I can just as honestly say is that I’m very happy at QPR and always have been. I’ve always loved it there.
“There’s never been a time when I’ve not been happy to be playing for QPR. I’m very happy to be there and have never felt differently.”
This post was last modified on 18/10/2018