Nottingham Forest defender Steve Cook is currently undergoing a medical with Queens Park Rangers ahead of a permanent move to the London club, according to Mark McAdam.
Cook struggled for game-time at the City Ground last season, accumulating 14 appearances in total in all competitions, including 12 in the Premier League but will now step down to Championship side QPR.
The London club have offered the experienced defender a two-year deal, keeping him at Loftus Road until at least 2025 with the option to extend the contract by a further year.
Gareth Ainsworth’s side were hit with an injury crisis at the back before the campaign began, with both Jake Clarke-Salter and Jimmy Dunne sidelined for long periods of time.
QPR had the worst possible start to the 2023/24 season, being thrashed 4-0 at Vicarage Road by a re-energised Watford and it was clear that signing a new centre-back was of utmost importance.
Now, the Hoops look close to completing a deal for Cook, a central defender who has played in non-league, League One, the Championship and the Premier League but still has another couple of seasons left in his tank.
Despite QPR’s lack of depth in the heart of the defence, the 32-year-old will be the first centre-back to come through the doors this summer.
Cook will link up once more with former Bournemouth teammate and Premier League-winning goalkeeper Asmir Begovic. The duo played together on the South Coast from 2017 to 2021.
Writer’s View
This is an excellent signing for QPR, but one that was also necessary. Cook has a plethora of Championship experience from his time with Bournemouth, Notts Forest and even a little bit from his early days with Brighton and Hove Albion.
While Cook is on the wrong side of 30 and was limited to just 34 appearances across the last two seasons, he would still be Rangers’ best defender and could help stabilise the ship until Dunne and Clarke-Salter are back to full fitness.
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