QPR deal Ipswich Town swift transfer blow after 'beat-the-deadline' bid reported

QPR will not listen to transfer offers for striker Richard Kone on Deadline Day amid reports of a potential head-turning late swoop from Ipswich Town.

The former Wycombe Wanderers bagsman only arrived at Loftus Road in the summer and has been a key player under Julien Stephan this season. Kone has six goals in the Championship and was on target in the 2-1 win over Coventry City at the weekend.

The 22-year-old also bagged against West Ham in the FA Cup last month and has impressed rivals. Ipswich Town are pushing for promotion but are seven points off the top two and in the market for a striker.

Ipswich Town linked with QPR swoop for Richard Kone

That had led transfer specialist Pete O’Rourke to claim that the Tractor Boys could be in for Kone. On Monday morning, he wrote: “Ipswich are interested in a beat-the-deadline move for Queens Park Rangers striker Richard Kone as they look to bring in a new forward before the close of the window. QPR would be reluctant to lose the former Wycombe star.”

However, just over an hour later, O’Rourke claimed that QPR had immediately landed any potential transfer interest a fatal blow. He updated: “It looks like Kone is going nowhere and Ipswich will have to look elsewhere to bring in a new striker. Ipswich will continue to keep tabs on Kone for the future.”

Kone’s influence at QPR had been somewhat overshadowed by the form of Rumarn Burrell over the winter but the former Burton Albion man is now injured, putting the goalscoring onus back on Kone. The striker has stepped up to the plate with recent form in front of goal.

Kieran McKenna provides Ipswich Town transfer update

Prior to the weekend, McKenna opened up about his side’s search for a striker but admitted that it could be hard to push a deal over the line. Ivan Azon and Chuba Akpom have lacked potency with George Hurst potentially not the man to lead the promotion push.

McKenna said: "Look, I think things are still possible," he replied, when asked about the final three days of the window. I'm not expecting my phone to ring in the next 10 minutes, but there's still three days left on the window and the situation hasn't really changed. My focus is mostly on the group here.

"We're happy with the two that we've brought in. The club are determined to improve the team or the squad in any way possible and they're working hard to do so. But, as I've said many times, we have good players here and we have a deep squad and if we can't find a player in any position that really adds something extra or different to us, then we'll crack on with the group that we have here that have been improving and we'll do our very best to the end of the year to be successful."

In other news, QPR set to win transfer saga as West Brom 'in talks' with Crystal Palace defender - round-up.