Mark Warburton has not given up hope of keeping Bright Osayi-Samuel, telling West London Sport that his future is in Queens Park Rangers’ hands amid reported interest from West Brom, Leeds United and Wolves.
With Adama Traore ensuring that jet-heeled, chalk-booted wingers are back in fashion after a sensational season at Molineux, one of the quickest players in the Championship suddenly finds himself with no shortage of suitors.
AllNigeriaSoccer reported earlier this month that newly-promoted Leeds are watching a player who gave their often impenetrable defence no end of problems this season.
Everton, Wolves, West Ham and even Arsenal are also keen on the explosive Osayi-Samuel, who produced six goals and nine assists in 2019/20 while shooting to fame with a Ryan Giggs-esque solo strike against Birmingham back in January.
QPR accepted a £4.7 million bid from Club Brugge this week, raising suggestions that Osayi-Samuel had played his final game in those blue and white Hoops.
But, according to Warburton, that is not necessarily the case.
“No I don’t,” the boss said when asked if he thought Osayi-Samuel had bid farewell to Loftus Road last weekend. “He’s a QPR player.
“I think the world of him and how he’s adapted and worked and the quality he’s delivered.
“Whatever happens happens. But if any player leaves QPR – and this is the key point – they leave on QPR’s terms. That’s what people have to realise.”
Warburton did admit, however, that ‘every player in the world has got a price’. And, if reports are to be believed, that ‘price’ is around the £5 million mark.
The Sun (8 March, page 54) reported that Osayi-Samuel would be West Brom’s top target if the Baggies were promoted to the Premier League.
And, thanks to a draw with QPR of all teams on Wednesday night, there will be top-flight football at The Hawthorns next season.
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