QPR and Millwall face competition from Coventry City to land 'fantastic' Premier League transfer

QPR and Millwall have been linked with a January transfer move for Crystal Palace midfielder Jeffrey Schlupp in recent weeks but the two London clubs are now set to face competition from Championship rivals Coventry City and Stoke City.

That's according to an update on the transfer saga from Pete O'Rourke. The reporter took to social media platform X on Monday to write: "Coventry and Stoke are interested in Crystal Palace midfielder Jeffrey Schlupp before the close of the transfer window."

The 32-year-old is out of contract at Selhurst Park this summer, which could encourage Crystal Palace to cash in on the former Premier League window now. QPR have had a torrid season of injuries and could view the versatile Eagles man as a key squad player with a play-off push not off the cards after a stunning run of form.

Several Championship clubs eye move for Premier League star

Meanwhile, Millwall have sold Romain Esse to Crystal Palace this month, which leaves the Lions without a key winger. Reports of interest from Alex Neil's side came after those of QPR interest and now other Championship sides are in the race.

Frank Lampard's Coventry City are beginning to find form under their new manager while Stoke City teeter just two points above the relegation zone in 18th. It remains to be seen whether Crystal Palace listen to offers but manager Oliver Glasner had hinted at a potential exit with Schlupp just a bit-part player in his squad.

Glasner was asked about the rumours following his side's 1-0 FA Cup win over Stockport earlier this month. He said: “I want us to keep the squad together. It’s not like we have a huge amount of on-field players. We have 21, [Matheus] Franca including.

"The number of players is not that high. I really appreciate Jeffery’s experience and he can play in different positions. Today, also because Tyrick Mitchell was really ill and we wanted a left-footed wing-back.

“He can play there, he can play in the 10, he can play as a midfielder. Because he is so experienced, he can play almost anywhere. But at the end, it is the same as the other players. Schlupp is now 32. His contract ends in the summer and if he wants to have a change and get a two or three-year contract somewhere, he will come but at the moment no one has come and said they want to leave. If we want to keep the squad, if the players want to stay here, that’s the best situation we can have.”

Oliver Glasner praise for ‘fantastic’ Schlupp

Those comments came after Schlupp came off the bench to play 13 minutes against Stockport. The former Ghana international has made 11 Premier League appearances this term but amassed just 93 minutes in total over those cameos.

Schlupp has been at Crystal Palace since 2017, having made the move from Leicester City. He has 279 top flight appearances to his name and won the Championship with the Foxes in 2014. Schlupp was also part of the Leicester City outfit that won the Premier League in 2016.

Schlupp may be struggling for game time under Glasner this season, but this weekend was not the first time he has earned the praise of the Crystal Palace manager. Speaking in April after an important equaliser against Fulham, Glasner said: "His first touch and finish was amazing. Coming there and getting that opportunity is what I really like, the finish too. We know Jeffrey has a fantastic finish, we see it when we do it in training."