Millwall set for Hibernian transfer race as Marti Cifuentes outlines QPR summer transfer plans

QPR and Millwall are beginning to see their Championship seasons come to an end with mid-table finishes on the cards for both London clubs.

The Lions are still in with a chance of reaching the top six but are outside contenders having been beaten 4-1 by Blackburn Rovers on Friday, although a 3-1 win over Norwich City has kept Alex Neil’s side in the running. Meanwhile, even after defeat to Swansea City, QPR are guaranteed to be playing second tier football next season.

Naturally, thoughts will now turn towards the summer transfer window and LondonWorld has the latest talk in your Wednesday Championship round-up.

Millwall set for transfer race with Hibernian and Blackpool

Millwall have been handed a boost in the potential pursuit of Cheltenham Town forward Jordan Thomas with the Robins’ boss Michael Flynn providing a candid take on the player’s future.

The 72 carries reports of interest in Thomas from Millwall, as well as Blackpool and Scottish Premiership outfit Hibernian. The winger is set to enter the last 12 months of his contract with the League Two side and has admirers further up the football pyramid.

In quotes relayed by GloucestershireLive, Flynn said: “I don’t think we’ll keep either of them [Thomas or teammate Ethon Archer], to be honest. I would probably say Jordan will go first.

“They are fantastic lads. I am harsh on them, on them every day but there is a reason for that: I know they have potential and I’ll do it in the right way, but I want them to fulfil their potential because they are two great lads, who I have a lot of time for.”

Thomas joined Cheltenham Town in February 2024 and was relegated from League One with the side last season. In League Two, he has managed seven goals and two assists this term.

QPR summer transfer plan emerges

QPR head coach Marti Cifuentes is ready to turn his attention to the summer transfer window following a difficult couple of months in the Championship which saw his side flirt with a relegation dogfight.

The R’s went seven league fixtures without a win between February and April, falling down the league table before steadying the ship with important wins over Oxford United and Preston North End. QPR then lost to Swansea City at Loftus Road on Easter Monday but Cifuentes still had an air or relief about him as he spoke to press after the match.

When quizzed about what summer spending could look like, Cifuentes said: “I need to sit with Christian [Nourry, CEO] and we need to decide and see what is what is the plan and what does he want and what is the idea. I've been very focused on trying to achieve the target and obviously have my thoughts and my ideas on how we can improve.

“I said many times for me QPR as a club has an amazing potential and that's one of the main reasons why I wanted to come here because I feel that, with a fantastic training ground that we have, the location, the history, the identity, the style of football at this club has played in the past and and it feels very well into my idea. I think that this is a very solid foundation on which to take, bigger steps.”

Cifuentes went on to clarify what the ‘bigger steps’ may be for his tenure in west London. The Catalan coach didn’t go as far as to target a promotion push but was clear that summer recruitment will come with a view of moving up the table.

He added: “So don't misunderstand me, I think that what we have achieved this season is remarkable.

“It's a big achievement, especially on how difficult it has been [alluding to injuries]. I told you before, 22 seasons coaching football and this has been the most demanding one by far, for many reasons.

“I think that the foundation for next season is good, it's about taking the right decisions and and I always say it's probably going to be difficult always to compete against the teams coming down from Premier League. We need to find this edge to take that next step.

“Since I came here, amazing support, but I would like to give them something else and not celebrate another season [just surviving] in the Championship. It's not easy, but I think that there is potential to try to take at least the next step.”

In other news, Newcastle United loan star in 'strop' as QPR boss addresses 'personality' ahead of transfer decision.