Millwall’s fleet-footed frontman Lee Gregory was linked to QPR last summer – and they should try again with Everton’s Aroune Kone set to move elsewhere.
Just because Ronald Koeman handed Arouna Kone his first sniff of Premier League football in seven months in the latter stages of Sunday’s 3-0 home defeat to Chelsea, that does not mean the Ivorian suddenly has a future at Goodison Park.
Frozen out for almost the entire season, the veteran striker, who was brought to Goodison Park from Wigan by Roberto Martinez, will be allowed to leave on a free when his contract expires in the summer, the Liverpool Echo reports.
Despite a succession of knee problems, and a modest tally of six goals in 46 league appearances for Everton, they add that a number of top flight clubs have expressed an interest.
Therefore, any hopes QPR may have had of finally luring Kone to Loftus Road may already be dashed. West London Sport claimed that Ian Holloway’s side were desperate to sign him on loan in January, only for the deal to fall apart when Everton demanded they pay the majority of his £40,000-per-week wages.
Despite QPR only securing their Championship survival with a game to spare, and only one player in their squad hitting double figures, missing out on the injury prone 33-year-old may be a blessing in disguise.
Especially if they turn their interest elsewhere. And taking Millwall’s Lee Gregory eight miles across the capital would be a good place to start.
Into The Lions’ den?
The Daily Mail reported last summer that QPR were interested in the former non-league striker after he netted 27 goals in two seasons for Millwall. And after he hit another 17 this season in League One, while contributing to their march to the FA Cup quarter-finals, Gregory is understandably in demand again.
The Sun reports that Championship newcomers Sheffield United are interested.
But if QPR are to push on next season, signing a lively, improving, lower league goalscorer like Gregory would help. Kone? Not so much.
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