QPR slap £7m price tag on 'quality' star amid Wolves, Stoke City and Celtic transfer interest

Stoke City are believed to have joined Celtic in registering transfer interest in QPR centre-back Jake Clarke-Salter ahead of the summer.

The 26-year-old has enjoyed an impressive campaign at Loftus Road and it is perhaps unsurprising that the defender has attracted interest from other clubs. Clarke-Salter racked up 33 Championship appearances this term and was a vital cog in Marti Cifuentes' relegation-fighting machine.

Transfer interest from Scotland had already been reported with Celtic linked with the tall centre-back and now it emerges that Championship rivals Stoke City could also be plotting a move. That's according to The Daily Telegraph reporter John Percy.

Taking to X, the journalist wrote: "Stoke City transfer news - QPR defender Jake Clarke-Salter is a top summer target. Price likely to be £5-7m and other clubs (including in PL) potentially interested. Stoke looking to strengthen in a number of areas this summer."

The Potters finished level with the Rs on points this season and just one place above QPR on goal difference. Percy's report also appeared to unveil a price tag for the defender as well as further Premier League interest.

According to BirminghamWorld, Wolves are also in 'pursuit' of Clarke-Salter with the club believing he has what it takes to make the step up to the Premier League. The defender has one Premier League appearance to his name, a 16-minute cameo for Chelsea in 2016.

Clarke-Salter joined QPR from the Blues in 2022 having not broken into the first team at Stamford Bridge. He has since played 49 times for the club and is contracted at Loftus Road until next summer.

Speaking about his love for the defender in December, Cifuentes said: “I knew Jake already from his time [on loan] at Birmingham because Xavi Calm my assistant was working at Birmingham for a lot of his games.

“We knew of his quality so I am not surprised about the level of performance he has had over the last few games. But at the same time we need to realise he came from a period when I first arrived where he was coming back from an injury.

“But we have a fantastic medical department and physios who have all contributed to give me a good picture on what are the risks and opportunities for each player on weeks like this.

“That all contributes to the puzzle because it’s about keeping the mood of the squad and my way of coaching is always to give people the opportunities to show and play in games. But there is no doubt he is a very important player for us and we want him to be fit and be in as many games as he can.”