QPR could be heading for another Ebere Eze transfer situation | OneFootball

There could be another painful summer move for QPR fans with Rayan Kolli interest

Interest is intensifying for QPR youth product Rayan Kolli after a strong second season in senior football.

The 20-year-old rose through the ranks with Rangers and has made a strong impact on the first team this term, despite missing recent weeks due to a hamstring injury.

That has tempted a number of teams from Europe and beyond to enquire about his services ahead of the summer transfer window.

For QPR fans, the direction of travel may bear more than a few hallmarks of the situation with Ebere Eze a few years ago: it could be another painful summer.

Kolli attracting interest from top European and Saudi sides

As per a report from Foot Mercato, Monaco, Lille and Al-Hilal all hold an interest in the striker.

Given his performances this season, it’s easy to see why.

In just 15 Championship appearances this term, the young forward has four goals and two assists to his name.

Naturally, that’s led to thoughts from those interested sides about what he might be capable of given more minutes and time to develop, having taken to a strong league in the Championship so quickly.

Interest in Kolli will remind QPR fans of Ebere Eze deal

It’s been a good few years since QPR last had a significant sale, the last being Ebere Eze when he moved to Crystal Palace for a fee of up to £20m.

The attacker was coming off the back of an incredible season at Loftus Road, where he notched 14 goals and eight assists in 46 second-tier appearances.

Understandably, fans were keen to keep hold of a player who had been given a chance in their youth setup after numerous knock-backs elsewhere, and risen to become one of the club’s most important first-team players.

But with Palace knocking on the door with a significant offer – in a deal that could still land QPR more profit with a substantial 20 percent sell-on clause attached – it proved impossible to refuse.

QPR are set up well for any Kolli negotiations

Rangers announced in January that Kolli had signed a “long-term” contract with the club.

They didn’t reveal the precise length, but given the deal is only a few months old, it means they will enter any summer negotiations in a strong position.

With that contract and at least three potential buyers at the table – one being one of Saudi’s biggest teams, not shy in fronting up money for a player they want – it’s easy to see how a bidding war for Kolli could break out, driving the price higher and higher.

Under those circumstances, the resolve of the decision-makers at Loftus Road will certainly be tested.

As displayed by the Eze deal, sometimes finances, and the player’s own ambitions, have to come before what is best for the team on the pitch: a big sale this summer could do wonders for the sustainability of the club moving forward.

Nevertheless, given Kolli’s long association with the club, and the fact it feels like he’s only just getting started in his senior QPR career, a sale this summer would be a painful goodbye for supporters.