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A Flurry of Transfer Activity in W12?

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Rumours are rife around Loftus Road, and with a takeover seemingly imminent, it appears QPR will make a final dip into the transfer market to strengthen their Premier League squad. With prospective new owner Tony Fernandes declaring his support for Warnock and stating he will give the ‘manager what he wants`, coupled with Warnock`s desire to sign ‘two or three top players in the next fortnight`, it would be no surprise to witness a flurry of transfer activity in W12 over the coming days.

It was reported QPR were chasing ex-Chelsea managers not so long ago, but now instead it seems they are chasing Chelsea left-backs. Attempts to sign England Under-21 International Ryan Bertrand seem to have diminished, and now QPR will step up their efforts to capture Dutch left-back Patrick van Aanholt on a season long loan.

With QPR today also announcing they will not be appealing Clint Hill`s red card he picked up at the weekend for violent conduct, it would make sense for Warnock to be pushing through a move to sign a suitable replacement. Van Aanholt would be an interesting capture, should the deal transpire; a young, talented player, who is held in high regard at Stamford Bridge, would add the pace and quality QPR have sought to capture over the summer. With successful loan spells at Newcastle, Coventry and Leicester to his name, it would now be the time for the 20-year-old to step up and make a name for himself in the Premier League.

QPR`s hunt for full backs to strengthen their defence will not stop there it seems, as Liverpool`s out-of-favour defender Phillip Degen has emerged as a potential transfer target. The Swiss International has endured an unhappy time at Anfield, making a mere seven appearances since signing in 2008. Having spent last season on loan at VfB Stuttgart, who were not keen on making the deal permanent, Degen may take the opportunity of first team football should QPR come calling.

Whilst it seems Liverpool fans do not rate the 28-year-old as highly as other players in their squad, it would make sense for QPR to snap up a player who has played at the highest level in Switzerland, Germany and, albeit only a brief spell, England. Upon signing Degen, manager Rafael Benitez described him as ‘an offensive player with great energy and a winning mentality.” Having missed out on Kyle Naughton and other defensive targets, Warnock would be clever to sign an experienced player such as Degen who would surely improve a fragile QPR defence.

Reports are also suggesting that the new era at QPR will get underway with a landmark signing – the reported £8 million capture of West Ham midfielder Scott Parker . With QPR having only spent £1.2 million this summer, it seems this rumour may be just a little far-fetched, but Fernandes (assuming he does take control of the club) may want to rubber stamp his arrival with a statement of intent.

Nobody could argue Scott Parker would be a poor signing. The stand out performer in a relegated West Ham side last season, picking up the Football Writers` Player of the Year award and numerous England caps along the way, would surely be the type of player QPR fans have been coveting. An £8 million price tag, however, may be a little over the top. Putting added pressure on Parker himself, and further the QPR side would be surely unwarranted, and having already proved he can`t necessarily hold up the fort himself in a relegated side, it may be better to disperse such a transfer budget over numerous players. We shall have to wait and see what the future holds for QPR`s ‘transfer arrivals` column – until then we shall enjoy the thought of what may happen over the coming days.

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