Queens Park Rangers are ready to rival Championship sides Blackburn Rovers and Derby County for prolific Rodez forward Timothe Nkada, as per The Sun.
The French striker netted 17 goals in Ligue 2 last season and has emerged as a prime target for the London club, who are expected to reshape their attacking line before the transfer deadline.
Nkada’s availability for a reported fee of £2.2 million has sparked a three-way battle among second-tier clubs. However, R’s boss Julien Stephan could hold the key advantage, having previously worked with the 26-year-old during their time together at Rennes.
Stephan Connection Could Be Key
QPR’s interest in Nkada comes amid speculation surrounding the future of Charlie Kelman, who spent last season on loan at Leyton Orient and could be on the move permanently this summer.
Should Kelman depart, the club are expected to prioritise a replacement and Nkada appears to fit the bill. The forward not only led Rodez’s line with authority but also registered five assists in 31 league appearances, making him one of the top performers in Ligue 2 last term.
Rovers and Derby are also monitoring the situation closely, but both clubs already boast attacking depth. Blackburn currently have Harry Leonard, Yuki Ohashi, Mahktar Gueye and Augustus Kargbo in their ranks, while Derby have added Carlton Morris, Patrick Agyemang and Andreas Weimann to their squad.
QPR, on the other hand, look more likely to make space in the forward department. Alfie Lloyd and Kelman could both depart before the new season begins, giving Stephan the chance to bring in a familiar face in Nkada.
His previous relationship with the striker at Rennes may provide a crucial edge in what is shaping up to be a competitive transfer pursuit.
A Forward on the Rise
Nkada’s impressive season at Rodez has put him firmly on the radar of clubs beyond France. With 2,563 minutes under his belt, he finished as joint-second top scorer in Ligue 2, earning a reputation as a mobile and clinical centre-forward.
His ability to operate across the forward line offers further appeal, though it is in the number nine role where he truly excelled last season.
Given QPR’s need for goals and attacking dynamism, the Frenchman could be a smart acquisition as the club seeks to improve on their bottom-half finish from last term.
Whether the Hoops can get the deal over the line remains to be seen, but with still two weeks to go until the campaign starts, they have time on their side.
Site Opinion
QPR’s push for Timothe Nkada makes a lot of sense, and not just because of Julien Stephan’s previous connection.
With Charlie Kelman looking increasingly likely to leave, and other forwards potentially following, the need for reinforcements is growing. Nkada’s form in France suggests he’s ready for a new challenge, and a move to the Championship could be the ideal platform for him to develop further.
The £2.2 million price tag is hardly small change, especially under current PSR pressures, but if QPR can structure the deal wisely, it could represent smart long-term business. Stephan knows what he’s getting, and that familiarity could allow the striker to settle quickly.
There’s strong competition, of course, but if the club are serious about moving forward under Stephan, beating Blackburn and Derby to a striker of Nkada’s calibre would be a real statement of intent.
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