Queens Park Rangers are close to agreeing personal terms with Steve Cook as they look to seal a January transfer for the Bournemouth captain and reported Newcastle United target.
That’s according to the Daily Mail, who note QPR now lead the race to sign Cook during the winter sales. The Championship side are eager to reach an agreement with the 30-year-old, as Nottingham Forest are also interested in a move for the Cherries defender next month.
Both clubs view Cook as an ideal January reinforcement as they look to edge into the play-off positions. QPR sit seventh after losing at home to Bournemouth on Monday, albeit with two games in hand. Forest, meanwhile, are ninth after 24 matches, two-points from sixth.
Queens Park Rangers and Nottingham Forest both believe Cook’s promotion know-how can be key to their campaigns. He helped Bournemouth reach the Premier League after joining under Eddie Howe while the Cherries were still in League One.
Bournemouth are also willing to let Cook leave Dean Court next month as he is not among Scott Parker’s favourites. The centre-half has only played in three of their 24 games so far, and is out of contract in June. He also wants to secure a more regular role for this season.
QPR to deny Howe a reunion with Cook at Newcastle next month
Queens Park Rangers and Nottingham Forest are ready to offer Cook and Bournemouth a possible suitor. They both value his experience and leadership skills for a cut-price move.
But Queens Park Rangers nearing an agreement with Cook on personal terms will come as a blow to his former Bournemouth boss Howe, as he plots Newcastle’s transfer activity.
Reports by The Sun earlier in December noted Howe was pushing Bournemouth legend Cook up Newcastle’s transfer shortlist. He wants centre-back’s with Premier League experience to help guide the Toon to safety, and considered him a cheap solution.
Cook is not among Howe’s top Newcastle targets, but could have exploited his uncertain future at Bournemouth for a cheap transfer if priced out of deals for his leading options.
Howe was full of praise for Cook and his understanding of the Newcastle boss’ tactics while at Bournemouth. He once said, via Eurosport: “Steve’s been excellent for us this season. He’s really grown in his maturity and the consistency of his performances.”
However, Queens Park Rangers seem likely to beat Howe and Newcastle to a transfer for Cook as Bournemouth look to avoid their £150k arrival from 2012 leaving for free in June.
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