QPR 'still working on' attacker deal as manager makes Charlton 'target' available for transfer
All the latest news and transfer rumours surrounding the Championship sides as they prepare for the second weekend.
The second weekend of Championship action is just around the corner, and it will be interesting to see if the three London clubs can remain unbeaten after a successful first weekend. QPR head to Watford this weekend, while Millwall host Middlesbrough and Charlton Athletic head to the South-West to take on a Bristol City side who arguably put on the best performance of the opening weekend.
As the three London clubs prepare for those games, they are also keeping an eye on potential transfer targets, with the summer transfer window still open until the end of the month. With that in mind, we have rounded up all the latest news and transfer rumours surrounding Charlton, Millwall and QPR.
Saito push
QPR are still said to be working on a deal to re-sign last season’s loan star Koki Saito, who returned to Lommel in the summer. Lommel, who are managed by Lee Johnson, are potentially open to allowing Saito to leave, but uncertainty remains over a deal.
Saito is under contract until 2027, and according to West London Sport, QPR are attempting to bring him back to the club. The 24-year-old attacker played in 39 of QPR’s 46 league games last season, though he did not play under Julian Stephan, so it would seem the push to re-sign him is coming from the club unless Stephen saw something he liked when reviewing footage of last season’s performances.
Al-Hamadi made available
Charlton are being linked with out-of-favour Ipswich Town star Ali Al-Hamadi as they look to add more competition to their front line. Al-Hamadi spent the second half of last season on loan with Stoke City, scoring twice in 15 league appearances, while he managed four goals in 26 league appearances for the Tractor Boys, with the majority of those coming in their promotion season.
According to TeamTalk, Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna has now told Al-Hamadi he can leave, and Charlton, along with League One due Cardiff City and Luton Town are said to be interested.
Neil on cup progression
Millwall boss Alex Neil was delighted to see his side progress to the second round of the Carabao Cup fir the first time since 2021 when his side narrowly defeated Newport County on Wednesday. He told Southwark News: “I was reminded today in this cup in particular, we have been out in the last three years away to lower division teams, and we haven’t even scored a goal,” Neil said after the game on Tuesday. “So today was an improvement on that.
“We won the game, scored the goal. From our perspective, yeah, we’re pleased. We want to win every game. I said to the lads before today, we are here to win. We’re not here just to get minutes into the legs. This is a competitive match, and we’re here to win, and I expected to win.”