Going into the campaign on the back of their great escape from Championship relegation at the end of last season, trust and expectations around Marti Cifuentes’ side ought to have been high.
However, that will have been brought back down to earth somewhat by a 3-1 loss at home to West Brom at Loftus Road.
That showed that the R’s may have some way to go until they can fight with a side such as the Baggies, who recorded a top six finish last season.
There has already been seven senior made by QPR this summer, as they aim to push up the table over the rest of the campaign.
Even so, not every deal has been finished by the London club, meaning there is still a need reinforcements in the next few weeks.
West Brom beat QPR to Juventus move
Earlier this summer, it had been reported that the R’s had a deal in place to finish the signing of Gianluca Frabotta from Italian giants Juventus on a permanent contract.
Shortly before the season started, West Brom announced that they had completed the signing of the Italian on a three-year deal.
Somewhat ironically, Frabotta would then make his start for the Baggies against QPR themselves when he came off the bench on the opening day of the campaign.
So with QPR having missed out on that deal, the pressure may now be on them to get other signings finished instead.
Now though, it seems they may not have it easy in signing an option to Frabotta, before the window closes.
R’s must beat Celtic to Liverpool transfer deal
According to recent reports from Football Insider, QPR are currently winning the race to sign Owen Beck from Liverpool this summer.
Given the fact that Beck is, like Frabotta, most naturally a left-back, it would seem as though the 22-year-old is the man they are now targeting, after missing out on a deal for the former Juventus man.
However, it appears completing this signing may still not be easy for the Loftus Road club, with it also being suggested that Scottish champions Celtic are trying to hijack the deal.
Celtic looking to beat QPR to Liverpool transfer deal
Celtic are ready to make a move for QPR target, Owen Beck.
That though, is something that QPR surely have to make sure does not happen. After being linked with Frabotta, the fact they are now keen on Beck too, shows their desire for a left-back.
It would therefore, be a blow to miss out on not one but two options in a position they apparently feel they need to strengthen.
With talk around the future of Kenneth Paal this summer – who has been linked with Championship rivals Watford – there is a chance that will indeed be the case.
So if they are unable to do that, there may be questions about the club’s ability to get big deals such as Frabotta or Beck over the line.
If however, they are to do so here, that will show that QPR can work well in the market to get deals like this over the line.
This particular signing may be especially eye-catching if they can get it done ahead of a Celtic side who can offer him the chance to win silverware and fight in Europe this season.
Beyond that, Beck is a player who has shown great promise in coming through the ranks at Liverpool.
He has also won plenty of praise for efforts out on loan, not least with Dundee last season.
| Owen Beck 2023/24 Scottish Premiership stats for Dundee – from SofaScore | |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 25 |
| Goals | 2 |
| Shots per Game | 1 |
| Assists | 4 |
| Pass Success Rate | 73% |
| Interceptions per Game | 1.1 |
| Tackles per Game | 2.8 |
| Balls Recovered per Game | 5 |
| Clearances per Game | 2.1 |
As a result, the left-back could also be a big asset to Cifuentes and co. on the pitch, if they do indeed win the race for his services.
So with that in mind, it seems as though QPR simply cannot allow Celtic to get one over them in the battle to sign Beck this summer, in the way West Brom were able to when it came to Frabotta.
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