QPR £20m revelation horrifies as Leeds United handed boost over 'incredible' £40m wonderkid

QPR relegation rivals Rotherham United suffered another defeat on Tuesday night in a dramatic meeting with promotion-chasing Ipswich Town. The Tractor Boys replied to a 94th-minute equaliser with a 95th-minute winner to inflict more woe on the Millers.

The Rs face Rotherham at Loftus Road this weekend in what looks to be a vital opportunity for Marti Cifuentes to pick up another three points.

QPR feature alongside Watford and Leeds United in your Wednesday Championship round-up.

QPR accounts make uncomfortable reading

With just one defeat in their last six Championship fixtures, life had started to look up for strugglers QPR under new boss Marti Cifuentes. The Rs have grabbed wins against Millwall, Blackburn Rovers and Bristol City to whirr a survival fight into action with murmurs of positivity beginning to be felt at Loftus Road.

However, QPR supporters were delivered a bump back down to reality this week as the London club published its accounts for the 22/23 season, with the results shocking not only fans but football lovers across the country. The details were shared by football finance expert Kieran Maguire on X.

It emerged that QPR had not spent any money on transfer fees for players but still managed to record a £20 million loss - despite making £2 million from player sales. The club spent £12 million on training facilities and were leant £30 million by shareholders.

It's now three years in a row that the club has suffered losses of around £20 million as the pressure to stay in the Championship and avoid a devastating relegation to League One mounts.

Leeds United receive boost over wonderkid's future

Leeds United have been handed a boost in their bid to keep Archie Gray at Elland Road this summer with rumoured suitors Liverpool unlikely to cough up the £40 million price tag on the star this summer.

Journalist Neil Jones published an update on his Substack page claiming that it would 'feel like an unusual move' for the Reds to invest in the 17-year-old with a surplus of options already available at Anfield, including talented youngsters. Gray can play in the full-back role as well as in central midfield.

Watch - Leeds United Inside Elland Road | Trekkoslovakia

Jones said: “When you are 17 and playing at the level Archie Gray has been playing at, and on such a consistent basis, you are bound to attract attention, and Liverpool have been linked once again with the Leeds wonderkid.

“But Liverpool sources were pretty dismissive when stories appeared earlier this season suggesting the Reds were ready to spend big money on the teenager, and while he is undoubtedly a big talent, it is hard to see too much logic in such a deal at present.”

Manchester United have also been linked with a move for Gray, who recently extended his Leeds United contract until 2027/28. The youngster has been labelled as 'incredible' and 'phenomenal' by former Whites star Jermaine Beckford this season and his stock will no doubt continue to rise at Elland Road.

Watford sign Mali youth star

Watford have confirmed the signing of Mali youngster Mamadou Doumbia. The 18-year-old is set to make the move to London from Black Stars FC in Mali this summer.

Doumbia impressed with Mali at the under-17 Africa Cup of Nations and the Hornets wasted no time in snapping up the highly-rated talent. It's the first piece of business confirmed by Watford ahead of the summer window opening.

A club statement read: "Watford FC is delighted to confirm the signing of exciting Mali youth international striker Mamadou Doumbia on a five-year contract. The left-footed 18-year-old is set to join the Hornets on July 1, 2024 from Malian side Black Stars FC.

"Standing at 6ft 3in, Doumbia combines his natural finishing instincts with flair and impressive ball control. Doumbia burst onto the international stage with his performances at the 2023 Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations, scoring four goals in five games as Mali finished fourth."