Queens Park Rangers are looking to bolster their attacking options this summer and have identified a player who has been linked with a move to Hull City, according to reports.
Earlier this week, journalist Alan Nixon revealed on his exclusive Patreon that Blackburn Rovers were eyeing up a move for QPR centre-forward Lyndon Dykes as manager John Eustace is keen to strengthen his attacking department before the transfer window ends next month.
The Lancashire side could lose some key attackers this summer, including the Championship’s top goalscorer from last season, Sammie Szmodics, who has been linked with numerous clubs in the Premier League. Meanwhile, backup striker Sam Gallagher is wanted by newly-promoted top-flight side Ipswich Town as well as Swansea City, although the player’s £13,000 per week wages are reportedly problematic for the latter.
Nevertheless, Nixon has claimed that Blackburn will struggle to cough up an enticing offer for Queens Park Rangers to accept for Dykes, but a swap deal has been discussed between the two parties, although he doesn’t state which player would be going in the opposite direction.
While Dykes’ future at Loftus Road is not in any immediate danger, the West London outfit have been searching the market for possible replacements. Football Insider are reporting that Marti Cifuentes’ side have agreed a deal with Swiss team Lugano to sign Zan Celar and that the centre-forward will complete a medical in due course.
Celar featured for Slovenia at the European Championship over the past few weeks as his country managed to reach the knockout phase of the esteemed competition, earning a hard-fought goalless draw with England en route to the last 16 before eventually being dumped out on penalties to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.
The 25-year-old currently boasts a market value of £3.8 million, as per Transfermarkt, and has garnered interest from fellow Championship side Hull City this summer but it looks as though QPR will win the race for his signature.
Writer’s View
Celar has had a superb time in Switzerland so far. In 118 appearances for Lugano, the 13-cap Slovenia international managed to score 51 goals and record 12 assists in all competitions in merely three seasons but is now looking for the next step in his career.
Queens Park Rangers could be the perfect destination for him. Cifuentes’ side were the fourth-lowest goalscorers in the Championship last season while Dykes and Ilias Chair were the highest scorers at the club with just seven goals apiece. Celar is a prolific finisher and could be a game-changer as QPR look to crack on after avoiding relegation in the previous campaign under their highly-rated Spanish coach.
