Queens Park Rangers face a tough challenge to keep hold of centre-back Jake Clarke-Salter in the summer transfer window as a number of clubs in the Championship and the Premier League are circling, according to reports.
After a dismal start to the season under former manager Gareth Ainsworth, QPR have managed to pull themselves from the depths of despair and out of the relegation zone since Marti Cifuentes – an unknown entity in English football prior to his appointment – took the reins back in October.
Back-to-back victories over the Easter weekend lifted Cifuentes’ side to 16th in the Championship table, five points behind Sunderland. Putting this into context, when the Spaniard took charge the day before Halloween, QPR were six points adrift of safety while the Black Cats were two behind the play-offs.
*ahem* 😳 pic.twitter.com/LGMIIoTz2F https://t.co/UrPXqOifs0
— QPR FC (@QPR) April 2, 2024
Following a memorable 2-1 win away at Leicester City at the beginning of March, Queens Park Rangers lifted themselves out of the relegation zone and haven’t looked back since. With some winnable fixtures on the horizon against Sheffield Wednesday and Plymouth Argyle, who sacked head coach Ian Foster on Monday, QPR could confirm safety in the second tier for another season.
An instrumental part of Cifuentes’ team under his tutelage has been central defender Clarke-Salter who has formed a formidable partnership with the experienced Steve Cook at the back. The 26-year-old has made 29 league appearances this term, with 22 coming under the Spanish coach.
However, his impressive displays have garnered interest from clubs in much healthier financial situations. According to a report from The Sun, title-chasers Ipswich Town and Scottish champions Celtic are keeping tabs on Clarke-Salter’s performances at Loftus Road.
Furthermore, the outlet are claiming that the centre-back is also being watched closely by clubs in the Premier League, with Wolverhampton Wanderers, Crystal Palace and Burnley joining the race for his signature.
Writer’s View
Clarke-Salter was a top prospect during his time in Chelsea’s academy but the defender never really managed to reach his full potential. However, his displays at Queens Park Rangers over the past few weeks have shown glimpses of what he can achieve.
While QPR and Cifuentes won’t want to lose Clarke-Salter, the good news is that he still has two years remaining on his current deal with the London outfit, meaning the club can ask for a relatively high fee during the summer transfer window.