QPR and Blackburn Rovers sent enticing transfer message by Crystal Palace over Premier League winner

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner appeared to hint that Jeffrey Schlupp could leave Selhurst Park this month amid interest from Championship sides QPR and Blackburn Rovers, even if he hopes that the former Premier League winner will stay in south London.

News of interest from the R's and their second tier rivals broke over the weekend with Schlupp's contract at Crystal Palace set to expire at the end of the season. The Eagles man has become a bit-part player under Glasner and it was touted that the club could cash in on the versatile midfielder now rather than letting him leave for free in the summer.

Crystal Palace boss Glasner was asked about the rumours following his side's 1-0 FA Cup win over Stockport on Sunday. 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.

Glasner aware of Schlupp contract pressure

"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.”

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 is widely respected for his versatility on the pitch. Able to play at full-back, across midfield or up front, the Crystal Palace man could be a valuable asset for Cifuentes, whose QPR side has been blighted by injuries at times this season.

QPR look for versatility amid injuries

Summer signing Zan Celar is sidelined with his latest injury problem while Kader Dembele continues to work his way back from a lengthy lay-off following a knee injury. Michael Frey, Ilias Chair, Harrison Ashby and Kenneth Paal have all been missing at points this season too.

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."