With a long list of Championship outfits attempting to strike a deal with Amadou Mbengue this summer, Queens Park Rangers are reportedly leading the chasing pack.
The Reading defender is coming off the back of another impressive League One campaign. The 23-year-old made 34 league appearances, scoring one goal from central defence. Another spell with the Royals followed one season in the Championship in 2022/23, before featuring 44 times in domestic competitions the following year.
Reading picked the Senegalese defender up from Metz in Ligue 1 on a free transfer and could now see Mbengue depart after making 109 appearances. QPR, now reportedly as frontrunners, could seal a move for the player – who is deciphering whether to agree to the Royals’ contract offer – on a free deal.
Retaining Mbengue A Priority
There is excessive added pressure to reinvest in Reading’s defensive department. This follows Tyler Bindon’s return to Nottingham Forest after helping the Berkshire club finish seventh in League One and Harlee Dean leaving after his contract conclusion. Paudie O’Connor has since signed on a free deal with the Royals after his own expiration with Lincoln City this summer.
Movement from the interested clubs could change which suitor lands a deal with Mbengue. QPR will look to try and complete a deal before this happens, but Charlton Athletic, Preston North End and Watford have all been inquiring and monitoring the ongoing situation.
QPR’s Summer Business So Far
This would technically be QPR’s second signing ahead of the new season, having already made Karamoko Dembele’s loan deal permanent all the way back in September 2024. Hevertton and Ziyad Larkeche spent last season away from the London club, but now return to flesh out their defensive options, both with uncertain futures under Marti Cifuentes. The latter appears to be a serious contender to bolster last campaign’s set-up after impressing at Dundee FC.
Writer’s View
Mbengue ideally needs to agree a deal to make the step up to the Championship this season. After two impressive spells in League One, the second division would be the perfect next career choice. QPR could be the perfect destination as Cifuentes is looking to continue implementing his own brand of football with the side who play at Loftus Road.
Reading will be losing out on real quality without a fee attached, but have at least replaced one of the 23-year-old or Bindon with a permanent acquisition of O’Connor. There was an agreed jealousy from Barnsley and other competing clubs’ fans when the deal was announced by the Royals.
