QPR sign Aston Villa man as Leeds United brace for £17m bid

The Championship transfer mill is slowly starting to whirr into life this summer with just over a week until the window is open for business.

QPR have already been busy in the free agent market but moves with fees are yet to be confirmed ahead of the next campaign.

The R's feature alongside Watford and Leeds United in your Wednesday Championship round-up.

QPR sign Aston Villa man

QPR have completed the signing of Aston Villa youngster Jack McDowell after the 18-year-old was released by the Premier League outfit.

The teenager had never made an appearance for the Villains first team but was a regular for the under-18 side last season before his release as a free agent this summer. He joins the R's development squad having spent 10 years learning his trade with the Villa academy.

Speaking to the QPR website, McDowell said: "I'm excited. The opportunity came to trial with QPR for a week and I really enjoyed it. I really liked the players, the facilities, the coaches and all the staff. Then I was lucky enough to be offered a deal and it was an opportunity I had to take.

"Now the aim is to do well for the Development Squad - pushing to train and play with the first team. There is a lot of hard work ahead of me, but I know it's something that I can achieve. I'm looking forward to the challenge.

"I'm a ball-playing centre-half. I love to get on the ball and break the lines. I love defending as well and I always want to keep a clean sheet. I'm a really hard-working player who will always give everything."

The club also revealed that the young defender had been put in contact with fan-favourite Jimmy Dunne in the run-up to a deal being confirmed. The 26-year-old shared details of his QPR journey with the former Aston Villa man in what proved to be a key part of signing the youth star.

Watford target ‘likely’ to make summer move

Watford transfer target Ricardo Velho is increasingly 'likely' to complete a summer transfer move as his stock continues to rise.

That's according to SportWitness, with the outlet picking up on the 25-year-old being named as the best goalkeeper in the Portuguese league this season thanks to his performances at current club Farense.

Velho was named as player of the month three times over the last season and Sevilla are believed to be rivalling Watford for his services. A transfer for the Portuguese keeper is set to cost €10 million with the Hornets linked with the player since April.

Bayer Leverkusen prepare £17m Leeds United bid

Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen are preparing a £17 million move for Leeds United star Crysencio Summerville this summer, according to German outlet Sportbild.

Xabi Alonso is preparing his side for the Champions League next season and is believed to be an admirer of the Championship Player of the Season. The outlet suggests that Leeds United's failure to secure promotion to the Premier League has now made the forward a viable target for Leverkusen.

Summerville, who scored 21 goals and bagged 10 assists in all competitions last season, is still contracted in Yorkshire until 2026 which gives the Championship club bargaining power over any potential departure. Premier League sides Aston Villa, Liverpool and Chelsea have all also been linked with the player.