Millwall, Rangers and Blackburn Rovers beaten to 'immense' £1m transfer by League One club

Millwall have been beaten to the signing of QPR striker Lyndon Dykes by League One club Birmingham City as the end of the summer transfer window edges ever closer.

The Lions had emerged as late candidates to complete a deal for the Scotland international this week. Dykes was absent from the R's matchday squad against Plymouth Argyle in the Championship last weekend with Marti Cifuentes hinting at the player's imminent departure after that match.

The Mirror reported that Millwall and Birmingham City were battling it out to prize Dykes away from QPR for £1 million. It is now the Blues who have won that tussle, with the 28-year-old confirmed to have joined the Midlands outfit today.

That will come as a blow for the Lions, who are known to be in the market for more attacking reinforcements this summer. That became even more important on Tuesday night as Neil Harris saw Tom Bradshaw pick up a serious hamstring injury which will require time on the sidelines.

Kevin Nesbit had just completed a loan move to Aberdeen and after defeat to Leyton Orient on Tuesday night, Harris confirmed the club's intention to sign a striker once again. He said: “We’ve talked a lot about needing to recruit at the top end of the pitch. I think tonight we see that very clearly with opportunities to impress for players who have knocked on my door asking to play – and the clamour from the fanbase, at times, to see them play.

"I don’t think there will be many people knocking on my door on Friday afternoon. We needed a number nine anyway. We certainly need a number nine…maybe two.”

Dykes had been linked with an exit from QPR all summer with those reports only intensifying in recent days. HITC have carried links with Glasgow giants Rangers all summer, which would have given the forward the chance to return to the Scottish Premiership.

Blackburn Rovers had also been named as potential suitors for Dykes. Alan Nixon was one of the first to report those links last month.

As QPR confirmed the player's departure, CEO Christian Nourry sent a public message to Dykes, thanking him for his service at the club. Nourry said: “I want to take the opportunity to thank Lyndon for his stellar efforts and immense commitment to the football cub over the last four seasons, during which he made some critical contributions.

“Admirably, off the pitch, he threw himself into all aspects of the football club. We have been fortunate to have him in our ranks and wish him all the very best for his new adventure.”