QPR interested in Hemed loan deal after keeping Freeman
QPR will look into a potential deal to sign striker Tomer Hemed on loan from Brighton after declining offers for Luke Freeman in the final stages of the transfer window.
Rangers were open to parting with Freeman for the right price, despite co-chairman Tony Fernandes telling fans on Twitter the midfielder was not for sale.
A move for Freeman might have enabled Rangers to buy a striker ahead of Thursday’s deadline.
However, Middlesbrough and Blackburn had bids for Freeman rejected and could not be persuaded to significantly increase their offers.
The loan window, which does not close until the end of the month, was always going to be key for QPR.
Reports ahead of Thursday’s deadline claimed the club were looking to sign Hemed, 31, before the window closed.
Rangers were interested in the Israel international, but as a possible loan signing further down the line in the absence of the player sale which might have enabled the club to invest in a striker while complying with Financial Fair Play rules.
A loan move for Hemed might now be an option, although he is one of a number of strikers QPR are likely to make enquiries about.
Rangers manager Steve McClaren wants Derby forward Chris Martin, who previously played under him at the East Midlands club.
Martin, 29, has been out of favour at Pride Park for some time.
But with the Scotland international having spent last season on loan at Reading and the previous campaign at Fulham, he and Derby wanted a permanent move.
Whether a loan deal for Martin, who is very much McClaren’s preferred signing, is now possible, remains to be seen.
McClaren also wants a centre-back and, in light of Darnell Furlong’s knee injury, would like another option at right-back too.
Rangers were keen to bring in Trent Sainsbury but the Australia international joined PSV Eindhoven.
Michael Hefele was then targeted but wanted a long-term contract and left Huddersfield for Nottingham Forest, who gave him a three-year deal.
10/08/2018 @ 9:31 am
The club is still proud and friendly the only difference is…. It’s now living within it means and investing in youth. I would say well done to the board. For the first time since approx. 2003 we have some really decent youth players coming through with a lot of pontential. I hope this continues and we climb up the table instead of spending our way into trouble.
09/08/2018 @ 7:39 pm
Feels to me like the QPR PR team played a blinder today. One decent signing aside, and excepting internal extensions of Furlong/Eze which were important, the club has demonstrably had a poor window.
Realistic targets have gone elsewhere (Forest/PSG) and back up choices seem to not be sufficiently progressed to complete. So what do we hear about on deadline day…rejections for Freeman. Don’t get me wrong I’m glad they haven’t sold him but not doing something isn’t much of victory despite how it’s been fed to the press. You have to ask yourself in the world of QPR ‘undisclosed fees’ how do we know so much of the value of these confidential offers? Either QPR were trying to start a bidding war (which is good business but not what the chairman said we would be doing) or it was a PR stunt to deflect for the failing of this window. My gut says it’s the latter, and to be fair to them that is their job!
This was the first time we freed up some real cash in personnel cost while cutting into the flesh of the team and replacements, albeit we have to accept cheaper ones, but replacements all the same, were necessary. No one cared when we let go the likes of SWP etc but the senior pros that went in May were in the most part solid first team regulars, including our quiet but respected captain. If you’re serious about finishing above where we did last season, and that’s the target you’ve set your coach, then some level of permanent signings are necessary in my opinion or we’ll end up back in the good old ‘arry Rednapp days of a team packed with journeyman loan signings, who may be up for it for a season, but loyalty ultimately lies elsewhere with little-to-no continuity season to season as this guys return to the mothership and the rebuilding starts again in May.
Anyway that’s my 2 cents
09/08/2018 @ 7:31 pm
No doubt ,there will be more conning from the board before the loan window has come and gone and we still won’t have anyone in and we won’t have spent a penny for the second successive transfer window.what a joke of a club the board and Les ferdinand and Lee hood have made of the Rs once a very proud friendly club now the joke of the championship ,that no-one wants to join.