QPR and Millwall rivals could see £7.5m January transfer annulled after 'admin error'

QPR and Millwall Championship rivals Blackburn Rovers could see a January transfer move for Duncan McGuire cancelled after an 'administrative error' by the club.

Rovers had agreed a loan-to-buy deal with Orlando City last month to bring the 23-year-old forward to the Championship with the MLS outfit confirming the deal on February 1. The Athletic reports that Blackburn had agreed a £550,000 loan fee for McGuire's services and retained the option to make the loan permanent for around £5.5 million with £2 million of add-ons come the end of the campaign.

McGuire, who has 15 goals in 37 appearances for the American side, appeared set to boost Jon Dahl Tomasson's side over the run-in. Blackburn Rovers currently sit 18th in the Championship, just five points above QPR in 22nd and level on points with 16th-placed Millwall.

However, the deal could be cancelled if not given special approval by the EFL at a hearing later this week. Rovers have admitted that while all paperwork was done before the deadline, an internal error meant that the final steps to confirm the deal had not been completed.

A Blackburn Rovers club statement read: "Duncan McGuire’s proposed loan move to Blackburn Rovers from MLS side Orlando City has not been approved by the EFL to date due to the registration documents being submitted after the 11 pm transfer deadline.

"All of the necessary signed paperwork had been completed prior to 10 pm on Thursday February 1st, however due to an administrative error, the forms were not processed within the prescribed time. Detailed discussions with legal representatives and the relevant football authorities have taken place over the past few days to try to reach an urgent and positive resolution to the matter.

"The club’s lawyers have prepared the required papers and sent to the EFL Board, who will consider the case on Thursday February 8th. Orlando City have allowed Duncan McGuire to remain in the UK, pending the EFL Board’s decision. He will return to the United States, where he will re-join his club ahead of the start of the 2024 MLS season, should his registration not be approved.

"Should the appeal be refused then Blackburn Rovers will attempt to reach a pre-contract agreement with Orlando City over the coming weeks to enable the player to officially join the club on a permanent basis when the 2024 summer transfer window opens. The club will make no further comment on the matter at this time."

The news comes after Rovers boss Tomasson admitted that the club was in a 'very serious situation' following a 2-1 defeat to QPR last weekend. The team has only taken two points from their last eight league games and are in freefall down the table.

The Dane added: "But nothing has changed, it was also very serious in the summer when suddenly there was a hand grenade that changed everything with the cutting of the budget. That's probably why [chief executive] Steve Waggott said [the job] first and foremost this season is to stay in the league. I'm a little more ambitious."