The QPR Transfer News/Rumours Thread V: 07/08

[Atouk]

With the end of the 06/07 season, it's time for a new transfer news & rumors thread for QPR's 07/08 season.

As noted in the previous thread, of the players who are out of contract at the end of the season, new one-year deals have been offered to Marcus Bignot and Marc Nygaard.

The club will not offer deals to Marc Bircham, Kevin Gallen, Paul Furlong, Mauro Milanese, Steve Lomas, Simon Royce, Paul Jones, and Armel Tchakounte.

Today, the club announced that CarGiant has signed a one-year deal with the club and will return as the club's shirt sponsor for 07/08:
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~1023321,00.html

[QPR Kevin H]

With the end of the 06/07 season, it's time for a new transfer news & rumors thread for QPR's 07/08 season.

Today, the club announced that CarGiant has signed a one-year deal with the club and will return as the club's shirt sponsor for 07/08:
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~1023321,00.html (http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373%7E1023321,00.html)

Welcome new thread!

And we have the same sponsor and same manufacturer, yet new shirts for next season after only one year?? Kind of a rip off for the fans that bought shirts last year. I hear the black and red hoops are coming back for the away shirts yet again.

[Atouk]

And we have the same sponsor and same manufacturer, yet new shirts for next season after only one year?? Kind of a rip off for the fans that bought shirts last year. I hear the black and red hoops are coming back for the away shirts yet again.I spoke to the guy who runs the club shop and was told that our current contract with Le Coq calls for changes every year. He also mentioned that we'll go back to the "Dennis the Menace" away shirt (since confirmed by GP).

I remember the club signing a new deal with Le Coq that was supposed to bring us more money. Maybe part of what we gave them in return was an agreement to change every year. It does take more money out of fans' pockets, which is probably not bad for the club.

[QPR Kevin H]

Maybe part of what we gave them in return was an agreement to change every year. It does take more money out of fans' pockets, which is probably not bad for the club.
I think it sort of works both ways. Maybe the club will see a little more money from changing shirts every season, but they lose out in fan relations. And let's face it, when the fans feel good about the club, we spend more money.

I remember a few years back, Burnley released their shirt without a sponsor on the front and made it the classic old school claret w/ blue sleeves. Commercially, it's near impossible to do this with a sponsor, but they sold tons more shirts that way. You always want commercial relationships to work, but you don't want to alienate your fan base at the same time. Although it seems we're fairly optimistic about things as Rs fans this summer, so it might not be too much of a bad move.

[Tony Cheval]

Hmm, keeping Nygaard but not Furs? Interesting.

[Atouk]

Hmm, keeping Nygaard but not Furs? Interesting.I'm guessing Furs makes more money. Plus, of course, Furs will turn 40 in October!

Still, I'm a bit surprised Nygaard will be offered a chance to return. He's reasonably productive when he plays, but is often injured and does disappear for long stretches even when he's healthy! :) Hopefully he won't be counted on as an every-game starter.

[QPR Kevin H]

Still, I'm a bit surprised Nygaard will be offered a chance to return. He's reasonably productive when he plays, but is often injured and does disappear for long stretches even when he's healthy! :) Hopefully he won't be counted on as an every-game starter.
I wonder what keeping Nygaard could mean for the future of Ray Jones. Could he be sold or loaned out next season?

[Atouk]

I wonder what keeping Nygaard could mean for the future of Ray Jones. Could he be sold or loaned out next season?
I'm hoping those two are forwards #3 & #4 next season. Both should get a good amount of playing time, but hopefully we can afford to bring in someone ahead of those two to partner with Blackstock.

I wonder if Baidoo will be able to work his way back into contention for playing time (at midfield or forward) as Gregory didn't use him much at all.

[QPR Kevin H]

As expected, the Lee Cook transfer speculation has begun. Some interesting quotes from John Gregory here...

http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,1786_2126255,00.html


Gregory said: "I don't anticipate a problem with Lee Cook. I think he will be playing for us next season.
"If Liverpool were to offer £2million for Lee, it would not be enough, but sometimes you have to think about how Lee would feel about that.
"It would be difficult to deny him the opportunity to move to the Premiership (http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,1786_2126255,00.html#) and play for a top club.
"If there is a club in the Championship who offer £2m, it would not be enough, we don't want him playing against us, and would Lee really want to make a sideways step for a few more quid?"That's good news as far as I'm concerned. Make a good bit of cash by selling him to a Premiership club, or he remains with the Rs and helps a lot next season. Just have to hope that manager, chairman, player and agent can all work together on this.

[QPR Kevin H]

but hopefully we can afford to bring in someone ahead of those two to partner with Blackstock.
Apparently we're looking at Dean Windass...

http://ipswichtown.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=911&p=2&stid=8446759


Meanwhile, the Blues, QPR, Leeds, Nottingham Forest and Wigan are all linked with a move for veteran Hull City man Dean Windass. Town seem unlikely to target a 38-year-old, apparently priced at £150,000.What's the point of letting Furs go and buying Windass??

http://www.soccerbase.com/players_details.sd?playerid=8627

[Atouk]

Apparently we're looking at Dean Windass...

http://ipswichtown.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=911&p=2&stid=8446759

What's the point of letting Furs go and buying Windass??

http://www.soccerbase.com/players_details.sd?playerid=8627I don't know if we're actually interested, but... Windass is 1 1/2 years younger and scored 20 goals at this level this past season. Furlong is 1 1/2 years older and scored 2 goals this season.

Edited to say, actually 12 of Windass' goals came at a level below. 8 came from January 20th onward, after his move to Hull in the Championship. Although he scored 8 goals at this level, he only scored in 4 games (one 3-goal game and two 2-goal games).

[Atouk]

Marc Nygaard says talks are set to begin (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/6653987.stm) about a contract extension with the club. The story says he "is to be offered a new one-year deal."

"We'll sit down and discuss it. I'm hoping we can come to an agreement that's good for both sides," he said.

"I speak from the heart when I say that I'm happy at QPR and really want to stay at the club."

...

"I'm happy here and London has been great for me and my family," he insisted.

"I've always admired English football and playing here during my career was something I really wanted to do.

"I love it at QPR. Hopefully I will now get the contract sorted out and focus on next season.

"We will start talking soon and I really hope it can all be sorted out."

[Atouk]

18-year-old midfielder Kieron St. Aimie has signed a one-year contract (http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~1026293,00.html) with the club, his first professional contract. John Gregory's comments can be found here (http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~1026467,00.html). Gregory doesn't see him "banging on the door just yet" but hopes he develops more this season.

[QPR Kevin H]

18-year-old midfielder Kieron St. Aimie has signed a one-year contract (http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373%7E1026293,00.html) with the club, his first professional contract. John Gregory's comments can be found here (http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373%7E1026467,00.html). Gregory doesn't see him "banging on the door just yet" but hopes he develops more this season.
Possible long-term replacement for Gareth Ainsworth? Hope he develops into a regular first-teamer.

[Tony Cheval]

I know he's already gone, but Steve Lomas appears to be shopping himself around MLS, possibly to aid Chicago in their quest to set a world record for most defensive midfielders on the field in one game. :D

[art]

I know he's already gone, but Steve Lomas appears to be shopping himself around MLS, possibly to aid Chicago in their quest to set a world record for most defensive midfielders on the field in one game. :D

Always thought he was a tough, hard nosed mid who might do well in MLS.

[QPR Kevin H]

Some more Lee Cook speculation...

Fulham??

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/football.html?in_article_id=457150&in_page_id=1779


Fulham want to make Queens Park Rangers winger Lee Cook their first signing of the summer.

Tottenham, Manchester City and Aston Villa are three other Premiership clubs that have shown an interest in the highly-rated winger who was voted Rangers' player of the year last season.Or will he stay??

http://www.itv-football.co.uk/Story/0,14272,6107_2144523,00.html


But Cook said: "I'm happy here. I want to stay at QPR.

"Anything can happen between now and August 31 (when the transfer window closes), but I didn't sign an improved contract last summer just to go and leave one year on.

[Atouk]

Some more Lee Cook speculation...
Yesterday, I watched a new Cook interview on QPR World. He says his agent is keeping him informed of developments, that if an offer reaches a certain number he'll probably go, if they don't he's happy to stay, and he expects to at least be with the club for the start of pre-season training and we'll see from there.

[QPR Kevin H]

I wonder what the base figure is for Cook's sale. The club seem to be advertising him for 5 mil. Fulham offered 1.5. I'd say he'd go for any offer over 3 million.

[QPR Kevin H]

Birmingham are the latest club mentioned in the Lee Cook rumour mill...

http://birminghamcity.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=902&p=2&stid=8447866