Former QPR star sparks Crystal Palace and Aston Villa transfer battle after impressing under Jose Mourinho

Former QPR star Bright Osayi-Samuel could be set for a return to the UK with a host of Premier League clubs believed to be battling it out for his signature as the 26-year-old comes towards the end of his contract at Fenerbache.

TBR Football reports that Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Everton are all looking at a move for the former R's defender. Osayi-Samuel has shown huge signs of progression since leaving Loftus Road for Turkey in January 2021, making 150 appearances for the club.

Mourinho wants new contract for star man

The player turned heads in October as he featured against Manchester United in a 1-1 Europa League draw as Jose Mourinho returned to his old club. Osayi-Samuel will be a free agent next summer should he not sign a new deal with Fenerbahce.

Reports suggest that Mourinho is adamant that he wants to keep the player at the club and is pushing the outfit to reach a new deal. If that doesn't happen before January, Fenerbahce could be forced to accept a lowly transfer fee to avoid letting the player leave for free at the end of the season.

The full-back is a product of the Blackpool academy and made the move to QPR in 2017. He'd go on to make 115 appearances for the R's, picking up 13 goals and 12 assists.

Osayi-Samuel’s impromptu Loftus Road exit

Osayi-Samuel's exit from Loftus Road came somewhat prematurely in 2021 after a pre-contract agreement was fast tracked. A QPR statement at the time said: "QPR have reached an acceptable agreement with Fenerbahce for the immediate transfer of Bright Osayi-Samuel.

“This is subject to a medical and personal terms. Osayi-Samuel has already signed a pre-contract agreement to join the Super Lig side in the summer."

The versatile defender now has Premier League interest but Championship outfit Norwich City had also been linked with transfer interest earlier this year. Reacting to that news, former EFL star Carlton Palmer told Football League World: “He has moved back to full-back playing for Fenerbahçe, but he used to be a winger at QPR. He’s got plenty of energy, plenty of unpredictability, and he can play down the right flank.

“If they can get him back, I think it would be a fantastic move for Norwich. Since moving to Turkey, he has won the cup, and they’ve been consistently challenging at the top of the league.”