"He's so exciting to watch" - QPR urged to finalise deal for Japanese star | OneFootball

FLW's QPR fan pundit is hopeful that Koki Saito's future at the club will be resolved sooner rather than later.

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…

Despite QPR's poor results in the league so far under Marti Cifuentes, there have been some standout players, with Koki Saito one of a handful who continue to impress.

QPR enjoyed a resurgence last season following the appointment of Cifuentes as head coach to replace Gareth Ainsworth, with the Spaniard guiding the club clear of the threat of relegation to League One and securing an 18th-place finish in the second tier.

Given their upturn in form under Cifuentes last term, there was some hope at Loftus Road that the Rs could kick on this season, but it has proven to be a difficult 2024/25 campaign for the West Londoners so far. His side find themselves 23rd after a dreadful start to this campaign.

After some eye-catching signings and a shift to improving the team in possession, many expected QPR to be a club nowhere near relegation trouble this term. It has not transpired that way so far, though. The main area that Rangers have struggled in is the final third, but Saito's impact in the last few weeks has looked to be exciting.

The 23-year-old joined on loan from Belgian side Lommel SK in the summer and has been in and out of the starting eleven. After two seasons in the Eredivisie with Sparta Rotterdam, the exciting Japanese attacker will hope to emulate the likes of Adel Taraabt, Tjaronn Chery, and Ilias Chair.

The verdict on Koki Saito's start at QPR

QPR have picked up a player that can play anywhere across the front line, on either wing or behind the striker. However, Saito has started just 11 of QPR's 17 league games this season, with a further six appearances coming off the bench, as he continues to acclimatise to the English game.

Marti Cifuentes will hope that his side can carry forward the momentum they will have gained after taking four points from their trips to Cardiff City and Watford last week, with the performance at Vicarage Road having arguably also been worthy of victory.

To do so, he may look to play Saito on a more regular basis. That's certainly what Football League World's resident QPR fan pundit Louis Moir thinks, when we asked for him to provide his thoughts on Saito's short and long-term future with the club.

He said: "Well, with Saito, I am not sure whether we will be looking to sign him permanently in January or next summer.

"Regardless, I don't really care when, but he has to be a QPR player next season officially.

"He's been really good. Even in the first couple of starts and appearances when he first joined, you could tell right away that there is something about him.

"As the season has gone on, even though we haven't done well, he has individually adapted himself to the league.

"He's been really unlucky not to score after hitting the post a couple of times in games. He's done well and been involved when we have created chances.

"But, obviously, if he was to add goals to his game as well? Then he'd be even more of a threat.

"Every game he is playing now he is starting and deservedly so. He looks like a danger in every game and he's so exciting to watch.

"He takes his man on and gets the better of them a lot. When I say he's adapted to the league, I think he's also getting used to the physical side of things.

"He doesn't mind getting stuck in and he knows what to expect now.

"I've been really impressed and hopefully there is something in the works already.

"If not, I hope we can manage to secure him on a permanent deal, whether that it's January or next summer."

Saito could be the answer to QPR's attacking issues

Rangers continue to struggle for goals this season, with no side scoring fewer than the 15 goals they have mustered in the Championship campaign, while they continue to ship goals at the other end.

With Ilias Chair and Dembele aiming to provide the spark in attack, but missing through injury at times already this season, it could be a player like Saito to find a moment of inspiration in the final third.

There is no reason for Cifuentes to not play him regularly now that he has settled into life in the second tier, with QPR winning just two games in the league thus far, and Saito's frequent involvement in this area should be considered by the Spaniard if he wants to see a swift turnaround in performances and results.

Moir is right to be confident that his added spark could make all the difference, and that the club should secure a permanent deal sooner rather than later for a player who is yet to fulfill his potential as well.