QPR miss out on released Wigan Athletic man as Ainsworth transfer priority emerges

QPR boss Gareth Ainsworth is keen on bolstering his midfield department this summer, says West London Sport, and the R’s were keen on signing Max Power.

Power left Wigan Athletic at the end of last season. But the 29-year-old is set for Saudi Arabia where he’s joining Robbie Fowler’s Al-Qadsiah on a permanent deal.

West London Sport say that Ainsworth was keen to bring in Power this summer, and that the QPR boss ‘wants to bolster his midfield options this summer’.

QPR miss out on released Wigan Athletic man as Ainsworth transfer priority emerges - The72

Released Wycombe Wanderers midfielder Lewis Wing was linked earlier in the summer and West London Sport add that there is interest in the Englishman.

QPR have so far signed Paul Smyth and Ziyad Larkeche on permanent deals this summer – both have joined on free transfers ahead of the 2023/24 season.

The summer ahead

QPR look set to scour the free and loan markets this summer, with the idea of the club spending money on transfer targets looking like a far-fetched one.

But there’s good options on both markets. Power would’ve been a shrewd addition for the club, albeit a relatively uninspiring one, but a move for Wing might be an exciting potential signing for the R’s this summer.

The West Londoners’ transfer business could heat up later in the summer when Premier League clubs begin to loan out their younger players, but if QPR miss out on them as well then they could be in for a very tough campaign.

QPR’s season kicks off with a game away at Watford on Saturday August 5th – the club which gave Ainsworth his first win as QPR boss last season.

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Queens Park Rangers will be doing everything they can to ensure they are ready for the opening game of the EFL season against Watford, which is less than a month away.

Their preparations for the summer are well underway, with it expected to be a hectic summer of comings and goings for Gareth Ainsworth’s men.

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The Rs started the 2022/23 season off very well, but it seemed to all come undone after Mick Beale’s departure.

Ainsworth managed to guide QPR to safety by the skin of their teeth, and now the aim will be to move up the table.

That might be easier said than done, as the club could face a transfer window where they lose several of their key players.

One player who is set to depart the Rs is goalkeeper Seny Dieng, and that means QPR need to go into the market for a new shot stopper.

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Middlesbrough are said to be closing in on the signing of Dieng, with The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath reporting that Boro have completed a deal with the Rs, and it is now a case of the 28-year-old agreeing personal terms and passing his medical.

The Senegalese has been the subject of transfer interest from Premier League and Championship teams for a while now.

So, this is a departure that was probably expected from the West London side, but even still, the club will now have to enter the transfer market to find a suitable replacement.

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It is yet unknown what option QPR would like to go down, but given that he is expected to leave AFC Bournemouth this summer and is wanted by Championship clubs, Mark Travers could be a good option for the Rs.

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Travers is able to play well at a short game, but also when it is required, he can go long and be accurate with his passes. Something that may be beneficial, as Ainsworth likes to have a direct approach to his forwards at times.

Furthermore, this would be a loan deal, which would allow QPR to save money on buying a new goalkeeper and use the fee from Dieng to strengthen in other areas that Ainsworth requires.