Cifuentes could work QPR magic if Celtic transfer is secured: View | OneFootball

Young Celtic loanee Bosun Lawal has impressed on loan at League One club Fleetwood Town this season despite their relegation, and a host of Championship clubs are reportedly interested in the young star, according to journalist Alan Nixon, including Queens Park Rangers.

Bosun Lawal arrived at Scott Brown's Fleetwood Town in August 2023 on a season-long loan deal from parent-club and reigning Scottish champions, Celtic.

Ex-Hoops player Brown spoke of the development opportunities afforded to Lawal as a result of the move. He said: "He's young and learning so it'll be a great opportunity to come on his first loan and show what he's about."

The 20-year-old seized the opportunity to play in League One and has played a huge 92% of available minutes for his team in the division across a variety of positions.

The defender played mostly as a centre-back for Brown, but after he was sacked following a poor run of form, Lawal began to flourish in a new position under new manager and former Stoke City, Blackpool, and Liverpool player Charlie Adam.

The Irish youth international was turned into a combative, but also technically gifted central midfielder, and his performances in the position have earned him many plaudits.

According to Nixon, Lawal has caught the eye of Queens Park Rangers, Portsmouth, and Derby County.

Marti Cifuentes has greatly improved QPR

West London could be a perfect destination for the 20-year-old when looking at the rapid improvements Spanish manager Marti Cifuentes has brought to QPR.

Before the former Hammarby manager took over at Loftus Road in November, the club had won just eight points from 14 games and were second-bottom of the table. The club went on to lose only ten of their next 31 league matches and were catapulted up to 17th place.

The R's are now safe from relegation after it looked a certainty earlier on in the season. For matches played since Cifuentes took over, QPR rank as the 10th-placed side in the second tier with 45 points.

The manager has improved every aspect of his team's game, but the work he has done with Sam Field will be the most insightful for prospective Rangers player Lawal.

The defensive midfielder had not registered a single goal or assist in the division before his new manager took over, but in the 29 matches since, he has scored four goals and made two assists.

Lawal looks like he would fit in perfectly in the Spaniard's attacking 4-3-3 formation as one of the outside central midfielders, where he can bomb forward and create chances via an incisive pass or a shot from range, but also help out defensively using his pace, strength and tackling ability.

He could also perform well as one of a double pivot in a 4-2-3-1 formation which Cifuentes has played a few times recently. The 20-year-old has played a similar role for Fleetwood, albeit in the slightly different 3-4-3 formation.

He looks to be a perfect long-term replacement for the experienced but ageing Jack Colback and would fit in well in a dynamic midfield involving the likes of Field, Lucas Andersen, Ilias Chair, and Chris Willock.

If QPR's improvement is anything to go off of, Cifuentes looks like the perfect man to help promising talent Lawal kick on. Signing for them also looks like an attractive choice for the young star next season.

The former St. Kevin's Boys, Bohemians, Watford, and Celtic youth has been highly thought of throughout his young career. Former Watford captain Troy Deeney reportedly even likened him to the Hornets' star player at the time, Abdoulaye Doucouré.

The Irishman has displayed his versatility and prodigious talent this season with the Fishermen, and it is clear that the player has a bright future ahead of him.

Cifuentes has turned around a stagnant QPR side and made them into a dynamic and exciting prospect for next season and West London could be a perfect place for young star Lawal to develop and showcase his talents in a season that many fans tip to be a good one for the R's.