QPR boss hits back at speculation over Osayi-Samuel’s future

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QPR: Bright Osayi-Samuel
QPR manager Mark Warburton has hit out at the speculation surrounding Bright Osayi-Samuel’s future.

The winger’s R’s contract expires next year and offers of a new deal have been refused.


He has been linked with a host of clubs but so far the only firm offer has come from Club Brugge.

Crystal Palace considered matching that £4.7m bid but did not do so.

Osayi-Samuel decided against the move to Belgium, hoping that a Premier League club would come in for him.

Scottish champions Celtic have shown some interest.

Gary Penrice took over as their chief scout soon after leaving a similar role at QPR, where he played a key role in the signing of Osayi-Samuel from Blackpool in 2017.

Celtic’s Glasgow rivals Rangers have also been linked with him.

“There’s lots of media speculation – none of it true,” Warburton said.

QPR boss Mark Warburton
Warburton’s side beat Nottingham Forest on Saturday

“He’s a young lad and is (supposedly) going to all these clubs – it’ll be AC Milan next.

“You read every day that it’s a different club. Now Rangers are apparently coming in and now someone else.

“He’s 22 years old and he’s dealing with this. It’s part and parcel of being an elite player and having your profile raised.

“He’s dealing with it very well and deserves credit for the way he’s dealing with it.”

QPR talks ‘at different stages’

Warburton had suggested he would not select Osayi-Samuel or Manning unless he felt they were committed to the club.

In the end he picked Osayi-Samuel for QPR’s Championship opener against Nottingham Forest.

But there was no place in the matchday squad for Manning, who is also in the final year of his contract.

Manning has been linked with several clubs

Warburton explained: “There are contract talks at different stages. Simple as that.

“I want to make sure players are focused on their game. There’s nothing derogatory or negative about Ryan, who trains exceptionally well and he’s a great lad.

“I’ve got a great relationship with Ryan and I talk to him all the time. There’s no doubting the quality of Ryan Manning.

“It’s just that many clubs have seen players walk away at the end of their contract with no value to the club.

“What we have to do is make sure that we see value. It’s about players committing to the club.

“QPR – and Ryan will appreciate this – has got to look after itself as a club.

“I hope very much that all such talks reach a suitable conclusion.”