"Gamble worth taking" - QPR urged to sign ex-Stoke City star | OneFootball

FLW's Hoops fan pundit believes that Tyrese Campbell would be a good addition to their forward line amid links to the club

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Queens Park Rangers have been urged to pursue the signing of free agent striker Tyrese Campbell this summer after he was linked with a move to Loftus Road amid interest from a host of clubs in the Championship and in Scotland.

Campbell left Stoke City upon the expiry of his contract in May, after eight years in the Potteries with 164 appearances made and 36 goals scored for the club in all competitions.

The 24-year-old is now searching for the second permanent club of his career, and is reportedly of interest to QPR as Marti Cifuentes aims to bolster his forward line ahead of the new season, according to the Daily Mail.

Their report also states that Campbell is on the radar of Scottish giants Rangers and Championship sides Sheffield United, West Bromwich Albion, Preston North End and Cardiff City, so there is set to be a battle for his signature this summer.

QPR fan pundit reacts to Tyrese Campbell rumours

The Hoops are searching for additions to their attack in the coming weeks alongside new man Zan Celar who recently arrived from Swiss side Lugano, after Sinclair Armstrong left to join divisional rivals Bristol City.

Campbell has struggled with injuries and poor form over the years at Stoke, but Football League World’s resident QPR fan pundit fan Louis Moir believes that he would be a smart signing for Cifuentes' side on a free transfer.

“When Tyrese Campbell’s name came up before, I was calling for us to look at him," he said.

“If the rumours are to be believed, then us and a few other clubs are after him, and I’m not surprised because a player of his quality, if he stays fit, and doesn’t suffer from injuries like he has done, is a massive threat at this level.

“I’ve seen him play when we came up against Stoke, I think he’s scored a couple of goals (against QPR) and with his pace up front I think he’s lively and causes problems.

“I wouldn’t say his recent goal-scoring record or injuries concern me because we’ve seen with players that we have signed that have been injury prone, such as Jake Clarke-Salter, they’ve come in and, touch wood, have managed to stay fit. “I think it is a gamble worth taking, he wouldn’t cost anything in terms of a transfer fee, and he could be great if you do keep him fit and get him playing in a certain style, which if you look at ours he would probably fit right in. “We’re probably in need of another striker, regardless of if Lyndon Dykes goes, because Michael Frey is unproven, Dykes isn’t good enough on a consistent basis, and then we have the new striker in Zan Celar, so you’re looking at needing another body up there, even more so if Dykes does leave the club. “You look at the options out there and if Tyrese Campbell is available on a free then I think we’ve got to be looking at it.

“I really like him, I think he’d add a lot, and if he stays fit you’ve got a cracking player on your hands.”

QPR's pursuit of Campbell may not be realistic

Despite not being the most prolific or consistent scorer since his Championship debut in 2018, Campbell is clearly highly-rated across the country and reportedly has multiple top second-tier clubs interested in him this summer.

While QPR did enjoy a sharp upturn in form last season after Marti Cifuentes' appointment, they eventually finished in 18th, a place below Campbell's former club Stoke.

It seems somewhat unlikely that the 24-year-old would be happy to leave the Potters to join a similarly-placed side that is unlikely to push for promotion like QPR, when he has the likes of West Brom and Sheffield United seemingly chasing his signature, as well as the promise of European football and challenging for a title with Rangers.

If he was to join the R's in the coming weeks, it would have to be on the basis that he is Cifuentes' first-choice striking option, which could well be the case if Lyndon Dykes does leave West London, with Blackburn Rovers interested, according to transfer journalist Alan Nixon.

That sort of assurance would come as a huge boost to Campbell, after he started just 14 league games for Stoke in 2023/24, and it would also be a better role than what some of the higher-profile sides are likely to offer him.

He would be a good fit for Cifuentes' style of play as a like-for-like replacement for the already departed Sinclair Armstrong, as both players like to play on the shoulder of the defence and use their pace to make runs in behind when the opportunity arises.

Given his age, potential and low cost involved, signing Campbell would be a no-brainer for QPR if a deal is possible, but it would come as no surprise if he makes the move to a better-placed club for his ambitions before the new season begins.