QPR star wanted by Champions League chasing club as Millwall handed 43-word Middlesbrough transfer clue

Millwall and QPR now turn their attention to the summer transfer window following the culmination of the Championship season last weekend.

The Lions missed out on a play-off place but will take huge positives from a season, which finished on the high under the new stewardship of Alex Neil. Middlesbrough loanee Josh Coburn has been one of the stars this term, with his five Championship goals often proving decisive in results.

Neil has made no secret that he hopes to make Coburn a Millwall player for good this summer with the striker’s loan deal from Boro now at an end. The Millwall boss previously said: “We’d like to try and keep Josh here beyond where we’re at now, which I think is important, so we have good options at the top end of the pitch.”

Josh Coburn pens heartfelt Millwall message

Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick has refused to be drawn into transfer speculation over Coburn, leaving Millwall somewhat in the dark as to whether that move will be a possibility. The striker took to social media at the weekend after the defeat to Burnley and penned a 43-word message to Lions supporters.

The post offered just the smallest clue as to Coburn’s future, with the player clearly happy with the time he has spent in London. He wrote: “Not the way we wanted to end the season yesterday, but I’ve loved my time at this club. Very grateful to have been a part of this special team. Thanks to the staff, players and the fans for all the support this season.”

TeesideLive reports that Coburn is expected to return to Middlesbrough for the start of pre-season this summer before an official decision on a potential Millwall move is made. It’s added that Boro are ‘likely to be open to his sale, but only at the right price’.

In an interview with The South London Press Football Pod earlier this year, Coburn said: “I’ve loved my time down here. I think for me, it’s best to concentrate on this season and getting to the summer, then conversations can take place. A lot of things aren’t in my hands, it’s down to Boro and what they want and everything like that. All I can say is that I’ve loved my time down here and loved playing for this club.

“I think Boro have been quite good where they’ve said concentrate on this season and knuckle down here and see where it takes you. I don’t want any distractions on the season, I know there’s speculation but I just need to concentrate on game by game and wait until the summer comes.

Cardiff City and Swansea City monitor QPR transfer

Cardiff City and Swansea City are reportedly monitoring a transfer move to bring QPR youth star Lorent Talla to Wales this summer. The 20-year-old made his R’s first team debut with a cameo against AFC Bournemouth in the FA Cup last season but did not feature over the 2024/25 campaign.

Graeme Bailey claims that QPR’s Championship rivals are looking to move in for the player with a ‘host of sides in Europe’ also interested in the player. Strasbourg and Reims are two Ligue 1 sides named by EFL Analysis, with the former currently chasing Champions League football for next season.

Talla signed his first professional contract with the club last summer and has three assists in six outings for the QPR Development Squad this term. The club website describes the player as ‘a talented and tricky forward-thinking player who is capable of playing in multiple positions across the frontline and in midfield’.

QPR have seen youth stars Kieran Morgan, Alfie Lloyd and Rayan Kolli impact the first team this season under Marti Cifuentes, with the talented Emmerson Sutton the next in the pipeline. It remains to be seen whether Cifuentes remains at the club next season to continue that work with youth stars, having been placed on gardening leave by the club.

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