As is usually the case for clubs during transfer windows, QPR looked into and discussed a number of potential deals which for various reasons didn’t come to fruition.
Getting defensive and midfield reinforcements on board was relatively simple, with Rangers bringing in the likes of Jake Bidwell, Joel Lynch, Ariel Borysiuk and Jordan Cousins.
The search for attacking players proved less straightforward.
With the realities of Financial Fair Play kicking in, in some cases money was the deciding factor. In others, changes in circumstances scuppered Rangers’ plans.
One striker from abroad, who is not among the players listed below, failed a medical ahead of a planned move to Loftus Road – part and parcel of the problems clubs face during transfer windows.
Here are the players who were on QPR’s radar as they looked to add to their squad this summer, but who for different reasons did not end up in west London.
Rangers began the summer with the striker top of their wishlist. But after he impressed for France’s Under-21 side in the Toulon Tournament, Lille demanded more money. Rangers made a series of approaches in an attempt to thrash out a deal but had given up well before he eventually moved to Cologne.
Rangers were very keen to sign the highly-rated striker on loan from Newcastle, who told them they did not want the 19-year-old playing for what they saw as promotion rival. He was subsequently loaned to Barnsley.
Rangers would have loved to sign the Australia winger – even after clinching the signing of Yeni Ngbakoto. It quickly became evident that Leckie didn’t fancy the Championship though.
Another wide-man QPR wanted to do a deal for and at once stage Cardiff seemed agreeable. Then they didn’t. And that was that.
Just as QPR seemed to be edging towards deal to sign the Iceland forward, in came Wolves with a more lucrative offer. With Rangers already interested in other players, no tears were shed and no bidding war entered into.
Les Ferdinand and Chris Ramsey worked with Pritchard at Tottenham and Rangers were keen to take him on loan. But Brighton were willing to spend big and so too were Norwich, who eventually signed him.
Rangers spent a fair chunk of July looking at possible options in Germany – Bodvarsson, then of Kaiserslautern, wasn’t the only player in their sights. They also looked into a potential deal for 21-year-old Finnish forward Pohjanpalo of Bayer Leverkusen, but it didn’t appeal.
Ditto this guy; a 26-year-old striker who was watched while at Swedish club Malmo. He was eventually crossed off Rangers’ list and subsequently joined Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Rangers expressed an interest in Adomah both in January, when they discussed potential exchange deal involving Matt Phillips, and this summer. He indicated he wanted to stay in the Premier League, but then joined Aston Villa. In any case, his wage demands meant a move to W12 was never a serious possibility.
As the deadline approached, Rangers were much more interested in Adomah’s Middlesbrough colleague Reach, who they hoped to sign on loan along with Pawel Wszolek. But with Boro letting one winger go in Adamoh, they were reluctant to let another leave. That was until they received a big offer from Sheffield Wednesday, and Reach was sold.
Another player near the very top of QPR’s wanted list at the start of the summer – and they were confident of getting him on loan. A spanner was thrown in the works though; the winger was superb in pre-season, forcing his way into the Swansea first team at the start of the campaign. Once he impressed in the opening couple of Premier League games, Rangers knew dead end had been reached.
Rangers were merely one of several Championship clubs who hoped Bamford might be persuaded to join them on loan if he could not secure another move to the Premier League. The Chelsea striker, who had disappointing spells at Crystal Palace and Norwich last season, made it clear he wanted another crack at the top flight. Enter Burnley.
Rangers were among a number of clubs keen to sign the midfielder from Arsenal before he eventually signed for Newcastle.
Until a few hours before the deadline, Rangers believed they might be able to bring in the 19-year-old forward from Paris St-Germain. But budgetary constraints were a factor in them being unable to reach an agreement.
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@Ratcatcher; there is not a sanction of points deductions for breaking FFP, just fines and transfer embargo.
Respect to the R's management team, we had a decent window, didn't spent OTT but seems we stuck to our guns on many other near misses.
No complaints, onwards and hopefully upwards.
Great to see QPR looking after the club's long term future. Well done Leslie Ferdinand Shame about Pilkington. I think he has great heart and would suit us. Players like Sebastian Poulter are the future of our Club.
A shame that Adomoah couldn't join as I've been told on many occasions that he was a QPR fan, obviously not a fan in the same way that Marc Bircham was then... On the whole though I'm quite happy with the players that we've brought in. We really do need to take lessons of problems with previous large fee transfers of the past.
Rangers and Brentford are two clubs in the same boat which is being stabilised by the financial fair play rules. Contravening the rules means a block on transfers, a points deduction and a fine and given the fine line between failure and success in the Championship no club can afford to break the rules.
Fair play to Hoos, Ferdinand et al, a stellar transfer plan. Ignore the doubters gents.