New QPR boss Warburton keen to work with Freeman

Mark Warburton says he does not regard Luke Freeman’s departure from QPR as inevitable.

The club last summer rejected offers from Middlesbrough for Freeman, who has since extended his contract at Loftus Road and been named Rangers’ player of the year.

He has been widely tipped to attract interest this summer, with QPR’s difficult financial position seemingly making the sale of the playmaker more likely.

But new manager Warburton is hoping to get the chance to work with Freeman, having previously wanted to sign him for Brentford.

“Not until I hear otherwise,” Warburton said when asked if he was planning for next season with the expectation that Freeman will move on.

“Luke is a very talented player, has won player of the year awards etc.

“I remember watching him at Barnet playing for Arsenal reserves and trying to get him.

“I couldn’t get him then, so to have him here now is a pleasant surprise and I’m delighted to work with players of Luke’s quality.

“I only want players who want to be here – that’s not referring to Luke, that’s in general. You want players who want to play for QPR and want to get better every day.”

Freeman was deployed on the left for much of last season but prefers playing in the middle.

And the system and style of play Warburton favoured during spells as manager at Brentford, Glasgow Rangers and Nottingham Forest suggests Freeman would return to a central position were he to stay at QPR.

Warburton said: “Luke’s a very, very talented individual. I can see where he plays in one of my teams and the impact he can have, so I hope very much that going forward we can get a lot out of Luke.”

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