For the first time in a while, optimism abounds at Queens Park Rangers.
With one of the EFL’s most highly-rated young head coaches in Marti Cifuentes sparking dreams of better days and a handful of intriguing summer signings through the door, a big improvement on last season’s 18th place finish certainly does not seem beyond the realms of possibility.
QPR completed the signing of Jonathan Varane this week.
The half-brother of former Manchester United and Real Madrid superstar Raphael, Varane joins in a deal worth around £1.2 million for Sporting Gijon.
Loftus Road is now also home to striker Zan Celar – 21 goals for Lugano in Switzerland last term – as well as goalkeeper Paul Nardi, full-back Hevertton and a young defender in Liam Morrison who can count Celtic and Bayern Munich on an eye-catching CV.
The next two players on their way to West London, however, could turn that optimism into genuine, unfiltered excitement.
QPR set to sign ex-Celtic starlet Karamoko Dembele
West London Sport claim that Queens Park Rangers – who kick off their Championship campaign at home to West Brom on Saturday lunchtime – are keen on Koki Saito.
Contracted to Lommel in Belgium, the Japanese winger was a revelation over the last two Eredivisie seasons at Sparta Rotterdam. When fully fit, Saito is a truly thrilling talent. An exceptional dribbler with an eye for goal from the wide positions.
You could use a similar description for Karamoko Dembele.
West London Sport say that QPR have agreed a fee worth around £2.2 million for him, closing in on a player they tried to sign when he left Celtic for Stade Brest two years ago.
Despite a terrific loan spell at Blackpool, Dembele has no future at the Ligue 1 outfit.
Brest director Gregory Lorenzi has already confirmed as such. Head coach Eric Roy, meanwhile, now tells Ouest France that Dembele will likely have to depart if he is keen to play regular football again in 2024/25.
Interestingly, however, Roy suggests that Brest initially planned to loan out Dembele again. It now appears that the offer on the table from QPR has convince them to green-light a permanent departure.
“We have difficulties, like every year,” Roy says. “Today, there are some that we wanted to loan, in particular young players who will need to play and who risk leaving, like Karamoko (Dembele) or Achraf (Dari).”
Premier League clubs watched the Brest misfit
The one-time Celtic wonderkid and former social media sensation is still only 21 years of age.
A tally of nine goals and 14 assists for Blackpool across 2023/24 is proof of that havoc Dembele can wreak when given the confidence of a good manager. The former England youth star simply looked a cut above in the third-tier at times and QPR will be hoping he can make the step up to Championship level relatively comfortably.
“He’s a lovely player to watch,” former Tangerines team-mate Owen Dale told the Blackpool Gazette. “He’s a great asset for us to have in the team. He gives us a different dimension and likes to pop up in those pockets. He draws one or two defenders over to him which leaves someone else free.”
“He’s a great asset for us. He’s been brilliant since he’s come in.”
HITC understands that Premier League clubs Everton, West Ham United, Fulham, Brentford, Wolves, Leicester City and Southampton watched Dembele last season. So too did Leeds and Middlesbrough.
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