Watford could raid QPR for 'impressive' £2.4m star if no contract agreed

Paal has been a key player for Marti Cifuentes.placeholder image
Paal has been a key player for Marti Cifuentes. | Getty Images
QPR are in contract talks with the defender, who has attracted transfer interest.

QPR could face transfer interest in the services of full-back Kenneth Pall from London rival Watford this summer.

That's according to West London Sport, with the outlet reporting that the Hornets could look to capitalise on the fact that the 27-year-old has just 12 months left on his current deal at Loftus Road. Paal was a key part of Marti Cifuentes' fight for Championship survival last term, making 44 league appearances across the season.

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Paal memorably scored a 95th-minute equaliser against Huddersfield Town in January, earning the R's a vital point against a side which was eventually relegated. LondonWorld hailed the defender a 'saviour' in that match while Paal was especially 'impressive' in the 4-0 defeat of Leeds United too.

Contract talks have been the focus of summer negotiations so far at QPR with news in recent weeks of a new deal for Sinclair Armstrong while goalkeeper Asmir Begovic moves on. There are also question marks about the future of Chris Willock.

Paal is another who has entered talks over a new deal at QPR and it is expected that if one is not reached, the defender could be sold before he can leave as a free agent in 12 months time.

Watford are looking to recruit in the left-back position having relied on Newcastle United loanee Jamal Lewis last term. The 27-year-old has since returned to Tyneside having made 38 appearances for the Hornets last season.

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Jamal Lewis has returned to Newcastle United from Watford.placeholder image
Jamal Lewis has returned to Newcastle United from Watford. | Getty Images

Paal joined QPR from Dutch side PEC Zwolle on a free transfer in January 2022 and has gone on to rack up 87 appearances for the R's, picking up five goals and four assists from defence - four of those goals coming in the 2023/24 campaign.

The defender is valued at €2.8 million (£2.4 million) by football database Transfermarkt. Should Paal leave Loftus Road, Cifuentes could turn to Morgan Fox or Ziyad Larkeche in the left-back position.

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