'Deal done' - QPR beat Birmingham City and Derby County to 'special' forward

QPR suffered a whimpering 3-1 defeat to West Brom on the opening day of the Championship season, the London outfit lacking bite up front and organisation at the back as Josh Maja bagged a hat trick at Loftus Road.

The R's have enjoyed a busy summer transfer window so far but are still in the market for a winger following the departure of Chris Willock as a free agent. The 26-year-old has since joined Cardiff City and Marti Cifuentes turned to Paul Smyth in the right wing role against the Baggies.

QPR have already added Zan Celar to their attacking options from Swiss side FC Lugano but now appear on the verge of confirming another addition in Stade Brestois man Karamoko Dembele. That's according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, who confirmed the news late on Friday night.

Taking to social media platform X, Romano wrote: "QPR agree deal to sign Karamoko Dembélé. Player will travel to UK this weekend to complete medical tests. Deal worth around €3m with add-ons included and sell-on clause."

That deal will be a coup for QPR, not only because the side is in desperate need of attacking options, but as the player had been linked with a move to League One side Birmingham City and newly promoted Championship club Derby County, according to Alan Nixon. The player, who is a graduate of the Celtic academy, is believed to be on the verge of completing a £2.6 million transfer to QPR.

Dembele spent last season on loan at Blackpool from Brest, scoring nine goals and registering 14 assists as he was named Player of the Season for his exploits. Speaking about the player in January, the Seasiders' James Husband heaped praise on his talents.

The defender told the Blackpool Gazette: "This boy is special. I’ve heard players from opposite teams say ‘this kid is unbelievable.’ I’ve not seen a talent like him in this league for a long, long time.

"I said to him before the Nottingham Forest game in the cup: ‘this is your level, you need to show people that you are capable of this-’ and he will be because he’s a young boy who is learning all of the time. "The gaffer is good with him. It’s been brilliant in the way he’s been teaching him the other side of the game. He enjoys being with us, which is the main thing, long may that help us because he’s a special player.

“He’s got every chance to be a top top player. He’s not enjoyable to play against in training, he makes me feel old. He’s a delight to watch every day and some of the stuff he does is unplayable. He’s been magnificent in the last few months. He’s one of the best young talents out there- I can’t praise him highly enough. For him to get a goal to help his confidence is massive for him.”