Football League World
·17 July 2024
Football League World
·17 July 2024
Bristol City and Stoke City are both in the race for QPR forward Sinclair Armstrong.
The finances involved in QPR forward Sinclair Armstrong's impending move away from Loftus Road have been revealed amid reported interest from Bristol City and Stoke City.
Queens Park Rangers have agreed a fee in the region of £2.5m with two Championship clubs for the sale of forward Sinclair Armstrong, according to the Irish Independent.
Bristol City and Stoke are thought to have reached an agreement with the Rs, as they look to strengthen their attacking options with the addition of Armstrong.
The 21-year-old has made 64 appearances in the Championship since signing for QPR from Shamrock Rovers in 2020.
The West London outfit triggered a one-year extension to Armstrong's contract after it had been due to expire this summer, which attracted the interest of clubs in the second tier.
As things stand, it will be up to the player to decide whether he wants to move to Bristol City or Stoke ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.
The financial details of Armstrong's impending departure from Loftus Road have been revealed, as per the report, with QPR set to cash in on the youngster with a year remaining on his contract.
Bristol City were in advanced discussions with QPR when Stoke joined the race for the striker, but it now seems as though both of the interested clubs have agreed a fee to sign him.
It is believed that Armstrong will sign for his new club this week, after a fee of £2.5m was settled on by the three clubs involved.
However, there will be further financial implications as a result of this deal, which will benefit Armstrong's former club, Shamrock. The Irish side included a 25 percent sell-on clause in the deal that saw their academy graduate make the move to England and sign for QPR back in 2020.
That means the Hoops will owe Shamrock a little under £600,000 after Armstrong completes his move to Bristol City or Stoke.
QPR must add to their forward options following the departure of Armstrong, or risk not having enough strength in depth during their 2024/25 Championship campaign.
They currently have Michael Frey and Lyndon Dykes in their ranks, although the latter is attracting interest from ex-QPR caretaker manager John Eustace at Blackburn Rovers, according to journalist Alan Nixon.
Armstrong, Dykes, and Frey scored just 10 Championship goals between them last season, so the Rs probably already needed reinforcements up front, and they definitely will now at least one of those names will not be around next season.
Only three teams scored fewer goals than QPR in the second tier last term. Considering boss Marti Cifuentes managed to improve Rangers' defence after his arrival, if they can acquire a consistent goalscorer, then it could be a more exciting season next term.
The Rs have made four additions to their squad so far this summer - Liam Morrison, Daniel Bennie, Hevertton and Paul Nardi. Now, they need to focus their attention on recruiting at least one new striker who can score goals for them on a regular basis next season at Championship level.
They are set to receive almost £2m from the sale of Armstrong, so it is vital that money is reinvested wisely, and they can continue on their upwards trajectory under Cifuentes next season.