Are Crystal Palace plotting another move for QPR’s Ryan Manning?

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Dougie Freedman, the sporting director of Premier League side Crystal Palace, was at Loftus Road on Monday watching Queens Park Rangers

QPR midfielder Ryan Manning shone in their 4-1 thrashing of Norwich City on Monday, right in front of the watchful eye of Crystal Palace’s sporting director Dougie Freedman, according to GetWestLondon.

Intriguingly, the Mirror claimed in April of last year that Palace were big fans of young Manning and were hoping to take him 12 miles south from Loftus Road to Selhurst Park. The Premier League club had even enquired about his availability.

So it is certainly tempting to wonder whether the presence of Freedman in the director’s box suggests that Crystal Palace are set to renew their interest in Manning after a season of Championship football.

The left-footed 21-year-old has started just six league games for Ian Holloway’s side in 2017/18 but saved his best performance for Easter Monday. He might have put through his own net early on but responded with a delightful headed finish in the demolition of Norwich, which gives QPR a real chance of finishing the season in the Championship’s top half.

Now, midfielder recruitment may be required at Palace this summer with Yohan Cabaye and James McArthur out of contract. Ruben Loftus-Cheek, meanwhile, is only on loan from Chelsea until the end of this season.

So, on the back of this performance under Freedman’s gaze, it would be no surprise to see Manning’s name connected to Crystal Palace again soon.