'Set to join' - QPR and Watford beaten to Premier League coup by Bristol Rovers

Bristol Rovers are poised to secure the loan deal.Bristol Rovers are poised to secure the loan deal.
Bristol Rovers are poised to secure the loan deal. | Getty Images
The Aston Villa defender is set to spend a season on loan in League One.

QPR and Watford are set to be beaten to the loan acquisition of Lino Sousa by League One side Bristol Rovers this summer as both sides continue to look for a full-back this summer.

Transfer specialist Darren Witcoop provided an update on the transfer race on Wednesday afternoon with Bristol Rovers poised to announce the coup having come to a deal with Aston Villa. The R's and Hornets were namechecked as having 'looked at' the player during the window.

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It's the second time the 19-year-old has been shipped out on loan by the Premier League club since signing him from Arsenal in the January transfer window. Sousa had spent the back end of last season on loan at second tier outfit Plymouth Argyle, where he made eight appearances.

It is unsure whether Bristol Rovers will complete and announce the deal in time for this weekend's League One meeting with recently relegated Rotherham United. The Gas beat Northampton Town in their first fixture of the campaign last weekend before losing to Cardiff City in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night in Wales.

The England under-19 international was signed for an undisclosed fee by Villa earlier this year having never made a first team appearance for Arsenal. He is also still to make his Aston Villa debut and did not feature in the club's pre-season preparations.

Kenneth Paal has been linked with a move to Watford.Kenneth Paal has been linked with a move to Watford.
Kenneth Paal has been linked with a move to Watford. | Getty Images

QPR and Watford are both known to be in the market for a full-back before the end of the window. Tom Cleverley's side has been hotly tipped to make a swoop for QPR man Kenneth Paal, who has just 12 months left on his current contract.

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Talks have been held over an extension but no agreement has yet reached between the 27-year-old and QPR, which could leave the London outfit keen to sale and splurge on a longer-term replacement for Marti Cifuentes.

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