"Would be a shame" - QPR view given as Watford plot Kenneth Paal raid | OneFootball

FLW's QPR fan pundit has given his verdict on the speculation surrounding Kenneth Paal's future

FLW’s QPR fan pundit would like to see Kenneth Paal remain at the club beyond the summer transfer window.

According to West London Sport, Watford are eyeing a move for the left-back during the summer market.

Paal has just one year remaining on his current deal, opening the door for a potential exit in 2024, as QPR will want to avoid losing him for nothing in 2025.

The 27-year-old has held talks with the Hoops over a new contract, but no agreement has yet been reached.

The Dutchman signed for the London club in 2022 on a three-year deal, and has gone on to cement himself as a key player by making 84 league appearances across the last two campaigns (all stats from Fbref).

Kenneth Paal’s QPR future verdict

FLW’s QPR fan pundit Louis Moir has indicated he would like to see Paal remain at the club beyond the summer window.

He has claimed that the left-back has performed well for the team despite difficult circumstances surrounding the Hoops during his time at Loftus Road.

“It would be a shame to see Kenneth Paal depart the club,” Moir told Football League World.

“To be fair to him, he’s been very good, really solid since he joined us.

“Obviously, he’s playing in England for the first time, he’s been through a few managers as well at QPR, and different playing styles.

“He’s already cemented that left-back spot, and some days he can be a bit iffy defensively, but that’s to be expected, he can’t be unbelievable every game.

“He has been really good, it would be a shame to see him leave.”

Kenneth Paal transfer fee claim

Moir does believe that Paal could be worth £1 to 2 million if he does depart, but believes a move to Watford doesn’t represent a step up for his career.

“But if he doesn’t sign a new deal, which I’ll be surprised at, we’re going to have to sell him,” he added.

“I suppose if we do sell him, you’d make a profit on a player you signed for free.

“I think with a year left on his deal, we’d have to get rid, it’s a tough one.

“You’re looking, at a push, maybe a couple million, but like I say it’d be a surprise if he wanted to go, I don’t get the impression he’s the sort of player that would want to leave.

“He seems really happy at QPR, especially for Watford, that would be a bit of a strange move.

“It’s not like he’s bettering his career going there, so hopefully Paal will sign a new deal, if not we’re going to sell and make a profit.

“But if he does depart, I have full faith that the replacement that we would have to sign would be good, if not better, so that’s how much faith I have in the recruitment process now.

“But it would be a shame to see him go, hopefully he does stay.”

Paal started all 44 of his appearances for QPR last season, as the team secured an 18th place finish in the table.

He contributed four goals and one assist, as Martí Cifuentes guided the club to safety from relegation to League One.

Paal sale would be an unwanted distraction this summer

Losing Paal for £1 to 2 million to a Championship rival would be more hassle than it’s worth, so surely a deal can be found for him to sign a new deal.

If an agreement can’t be reached, then a sale makes the most sense as you want to avoid losing him for nothing.

But QPR should be looking to keep such an important player around for next season, so they can focus on strengthening the squad in more important areas.

The full-back especially performed well under Cifuentes following the Spaniard’s arrival, so it should be a priority to nail down a longer-term contract to keep him at Loftus Road.