QPR in transfer race for 'fantastic' Crystal Palace star amid £15m Millwall news

QPR have entered the race to sign versatile Crystal Palace midfielder Jeffrey Schlupp this month, facing competition from Championship rivals Blackburn Rovers.

That's according to transfer specialist Alan Nixon, who claims that Marti Cifuentes could look to bring the player to Loftus Road after he has become somewhat of a fringe figure at Selhurst Park. Schlupp has made 11 Premier League appearances this term but amassed just 93 minutes in total over those cameos.

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

QPR look at move for Premier League winner

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 is out of contract at Crystal Palace this summer, which could encourage the Premier League club to sanction a January sale before losing the player as a free agent. There is also said to be MLS interest in the player.

The Eagles man has been at Selhurst Park since 2017, having made the move from Leicester City. He has made 279 top flight appearances to his name, having 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 struggle for game time under Glasner this season, but 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."

Crystal Palace close to £14.5m Romain Esse deal

News that Crystal Palace may be willing to sanction an exit comes after the south London side close in on a £14.5 million deal with Millwall to bring Romain Esse to Selhurst Park this month. The 19-year-old has been a long-term target for the Premier League club, who have a knack for helping talents make the step up from the EFL to the top flight.

Millwall boss Alex Neil last week said: "At the moment, there's interest from Crystal Palace, which has been well-documented. How far down the line that is, I'm not sure. But I think people need to recognise how well we as a club have done by securing Romain on a new contract which took, by all accounts, a bit of convincing to stay because he wanted to play football.

"He is now playing football, he's certainly been one of our best performers this season. We don't want to lose any of our best players but I think everybody understands the contract situation around Romain. If he does move, he'll move for significant money, which from the club's perspective will be brilliant business considering we could have lost him in the summer for free."