Queens Park Rangers are increasingly hopeful Bright Osayi-Samuel will snub Celtic’s advances and sign a new contract, manager Mark Warburton has said in quotes reported by Football League World.
After losing Eberechi Eze and Ryan Manning during the summer, QPR fans must have feared the worst when their most influential attacker was left out of the squad for the humiliating 3-0 defeat at Barnsley on Tuesday.
It’s no secret Osayi-Samuel will become a free agent at the end of the campaign.
The Timothy Weah scenario Celtic must avoid at all costs
And with Celtic still interested in a speedy wideman who suits Neil Lennon’s style of football to a tee (the Standard), all signs suggested the former Blackpool starlet would follow Eze out the door.
But Warburton struck a far more positive tone today, speaking ahead of QPR’s upcoming Championship clash with Cardiff City.
- 'Destined': Manager thinks reported Crystal Palace and Celtic target is Premier League-bound
- Reported £5m Celtic target left out of squad; manager says head’s not right
“Contract talks are going the right way,” said the former Nottingham Forest and Rangers coach.
“He trained very well today and we’ll see how he is for the weekend.”
QPR supporters have suffered their fair share of disappointment in recent years but there may be a glimmer of hope on the horizon. If Warburton’s comments are anything to go by, Osayi-Samuel could stay for the long haul after all.
The Sun claims QPR value the winger at £5 million, while Celtic have been planning to sign him on a pre-contract agreement in January.
In other news, '£40m, sell him': Some fans react after hearing Arsenal want their side's goalkeeper