Queens Park Rangers were heavily linked with Millwall winger Fred Onyedinma but it appears he’s staying with Championship newcomers Millwall.
If Queens Park Rangers are hoping to avoid a repeat of the nail-biting end to last season, in which they finished just two points above the drop zone, added creativity is a must.
Therefore, it made perfect sense that they would be tracking highly-rated Millwall winger Fred Onyedinma. According to Football League Paper (page 5, 11th April), the 20-year-old had impressed QPR manager Ian Holloway thanks to a number of standout performances in League One, helping The Lions return to the second tier via the play-offs.
Fred Onyedinma helped Millwall reach the FA Cup quarter-finals and win promotion to the Championship last season
Holloway knows Onyedinma well, having handed him his professional debut during his spell in charge at Millwall.
And, with his contract at The New Den expiring at the end of the season, QPR had an excellent opportunity to nab their local rivals’ most prized asset although reported interest from Watford and Hull City meant they would have to move quick.
Missed opportunity?
However, with only a month remaining until the kick off of a new Championship season, it appears that QPR have missed their chance. Because London News Online reports that Onyedinma has agreed a new contract at Millwall and will not be making the short move to Loftus Road this summer.
Therefore, it’s tempting to feel that QPR have missed an opportunity. Defensive midfielder Josh Scowen and 19-year-old Charlie Owens are the only new faces at the capital club, arriving from Barnsley and Tottenham Hotspur respectively on free transfers.
Josh Scowen is the only senior addition at QPR this summer
However, it’s in the final third where QPR are crying out for reinforcements. Onyedinma’s pace, directness and dribbling ability could have provided another attacking dimension for a side who scored just 52 Championship goals last season.
Yet, their sluggish start to the window appears to have cost them a superb addition.
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