West Bromwich Albion are among a number of clubs interested in signing Charlie Kelman from Queens Park Rangers.
The American forward was one of League One’s standouts last season, propelling Leyton Orient into playoff contention alongside Jamie Donley, scoring 27 goals and adding six assists across 61 appearances. Richie Wellens’ side fell at the final hurdle, losing to Charlton Athletic in the playoffs at Wembley.
Kelman Could Make Baggies Switch
After returning to Loftus Road following his successful loan, murmurings of his future have continued, and in a new report, Darren Witcoop has said West Bromwich Albion are interested in a move. The 23-year-old has struggled during his time in The R’s first team, failing to score in his five years at the club.
Football League World has previously reported that there were eight Championship sides all interested in Kelman, who is not out of contract this summer at QPR, with the end date of his current deal still unclear.
West Bromwich Albion are under new management with Ryan Mason now in charge at The Hawthorns, and have already secured a defensive signing in Nat Phillips. However, with Tom Fellows’ future in the amid links to Everton, The Baggies could be forced into entering the forward market once more.
Striker has been a key position for Albion this summer, with Lawrence Shankland being the number one target for the club. His future at Hearts is still unclear, although he looks set to be left out of the Edinburgh club’s preseason due to his contract situation.
Writers’ View
Queens Park Rangers need to keep Charlie Kelman at the club for next season. They have struggled to find an out-and-out goalscorer, and Kelman’s performance at Leyton Orient shows that he can be exactly that. Under new boss Julian Stephan, the West London club have a real chance of re-establishing itself as a competitive side in the Championship, and will no doubt be buoyed by winning the race for Peterborough United‘s Kwame Poku. Selling Kelman would be counterintuitive, with it likely also reinforcing a divisional rival with a sale, whether it is to West Bromwich Albion or someone else.
