QPR set to lose transfer race as Leeds United and Sunderland battle for Premier League bagsman

QPR, Millwall and Championship clubs have under eight hours to finalise their January transfer business with the window slamming shut on Monday evening.

The R's were beaten 2-1 by the Lions at The Den on Saturday as the west London side's superb run of form hits a snag. However, the arrival of young Premier League stars will buoy QPR ahead of Tuesday night's meeting with Blackburn Rovers.

QPR feature alongside Millwall, Leeds United and Sunderland in the latest Championship round-up on Deadline Day.

QPR target set to League One move

QPR transfer target Xavier Simons is set to move from Hull City to a League One outfit on Deadline Day. The R's had been credited with an interest in the 21-year-old last week by Danish outfit Sport Bladet with AIK also linked.

There's been a flurry of late January action at Loftus Road with Yang Min-hyeok coming through the door and Chelsea midfielder Harvey Vale also expected to come through the door. Southampton defender Ronnie Edwards was brought in on loan earlier this month.

However, Simons won't be another new face in west London. Transfer specialist Pete O'Rourke has confirmed that League One seems the most likely destination for Tigers man today. Taking to social media platform X, the reporter wrote: "Wycombe and another unnamed League One are in talks to sign Hull City defender Xavier Simons on loan before the close of the transfer window."

Simons has fallen out of favour under Ruben Selles at Hull City, now behind Regan Slater, Gustavo Puerta, Steven Alzate and Elliot Matazo in the pecking order.

Millwall confirm Brighton signing

Millwall have confirmed the signing of Benicio Baker from Premier League outfit Brighton today. The 21-year-old has signed a long-term contract with the club, arriving for an undisclosed fee from the south coast.

The winger is the Lions' sixth signing of the January window. Baker is a product of the FC Porto academy before joining Brighton in 2022. He has made six top flight appearances.

Recently, the forward has been on loan at Port Vale in League Two. Director of Football Steve Gallen said: "We're delighted to welcome Benicio Baker to Millwall - we see him as an exciting prospect for the club.

"Another England youth international, Benicio ticks a number of boxes we're looking to recruit for at his young age of 21. He is an exciting winger who will add plenty of pace and skill to the squad, which will get fans off their seats. Benicio has already gained some key experience in the Premier League with Brighton & Hove Albion, as well as testing himself out on loan in League Two with Port Vale.

"He'll link up with Alex Neil and the first-team squad immediately which, like Ajay Matthews, will be hugely beneficial to his development. We look forward to seeing what he can add to the club."

Leeds United and Sunderland race for Premier League striker

Leeds United have joined Sunderland and Middlesbrough in pursuit of Southampton forward Adam Armstrong on Deadline Day, according to The Daily Mail.

The 27-year-old has only been afforded 90 minutes in the Premier League on two occasions since the start of December and Daniel Farke is keen to add to his attacking options with promotion the target for Leeds United. Armstrong has been with Southampton since 2021, when arriving from Blackburn Rovers for £15 million, and has bagged 32 goals for the Saints.

The striker is proven in the Championship, with 77 second-tier goals to his name. Any sale from Southampton would be a bold move given that the club sits rock bottom of the Premier League, 10 points adrift of safety.

In other news, QPR and Millwall have been handed a boost in news that Sheffield United have taken their pursuit of a defender to another London club.