QPR already know next 'great' transfer as Fabrizio Romano confirms Sunderland beaten to Chelsea coup

QPR look set to announce yet another January transfer signing in a flurry of late business in the window amid reports from Brazil.

Up until last weekend, it was just Southampton defender Ronnie Edwards who had arrived on loan at Loftus Road this month. Since then, the highly thought-of Tottenham Hotspur winger Yang Min-Hyeok has also arrived on loan and now all signs point to the permanent signing of Chelsea midfielder Harvey Vale.

O Globo now reports that QPR have also agreed a deal with Brazilian outfit Fluminense to sign 18-year-old left-back Joao Henrique. The player, better known as Esquerdinha, would make it four players 21 years old or younger recruited this month as Marti Cifuentes continues to turn to youth.

QPR finalising deal for full-back

Esquerdinha is described as 'one of the great recent promises' of the youth team and has already been afforded opportunities with the first team. The defender made his debut in May 2023. The Brazilian outlet claimed that QPR and Fluminense were 'exchanging documents' ahead of finalising a deal on Thursday.

The confirmation of a transfer for Vale from Chelsea seems to be the most imminent news from Loftus Road before potentially confirming a deal for the full-back next. Vale had been previously linked with Sunderland, West Brom and Oxford United but it appears as if the R's have won that transfer race.

Taking to social media platform X on Friday, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano wrote: "Harvey Vale leaves Chelsea and joins QPR on an initial free transfer, bonuses and sell-on clause are included based on performances."

The midfielder is still contracted at Stamford Bridge until the end of the season but reporter Ben Jacobs claims that the free transfer comes with bonuses and a sizeable sell-on clause for the player. Vale is set to sign a three-and-a-half-year deal at Loftus Road, with QPR holding the option for another year.

QPR poised to sign former Chelsea Academy Player of the Year

The former England under-20 international impressed in League One with Bristol Rovers last season and has made two Europa Conference League appearances this season. Vale picked up minutes against FC Astana and Shamrock Rovers for Chelsea.

Previously a Chelsea Academy Player of the Year, Vale is best known as a left-sided winger but was used as a wing-back while at Bristol Rovers. He scored three goals and picked up six assists in 47 matches from that position during that spell.

Vale was the subject of a bid from Saudi Pro League club Al Ettifaq in September but rejected the option to move to the Middle East in favour of continuing his career in Europe.

After defeat to Sheffield Wednesday last weekend, Cifuentes was asked for his view on QPR's business in the January transfer window so far.

The Catalan coach said: "I think it was very important that Ronnie came with the situation we had with the centre halves. It's true that Liam and Cook were today on the bench, which is fantastic news that they are ready to compete perhaps earlier than what we could expect. Ronnie is showing he is a quality addition.

"It's something we discuss with the club [further acquisitions]. I've said many times that there are areas in the club we can keep working on, as with all the teams in the world. We analyse the situation in the market but we must give a lot of credit to these guys, it's easier to ask this question after defeat. We'll analyse all the situations in the market these last few days and, only if there is something that can really help the team, we will try to improve."

In other news, QPR appear to have landed a transfer blow on Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur with reports of a rising midfield star signing a new contract at Loftus Road.