QPR face huge striker transfer decision - They won't want to regret it | OneFootball

QPR have got a tough call to make on the future of striker Charlie Kelman.

Queens Park Rangers face a big dilemma in the summer when Charlie Kelman returns from his loan spell at Leyton Orient.

The American striker joined the London-based outfit in 2020 but has never really hit the ground running when he’s been given a chance to impress. This has seen him spat out on multiple loan spells, which have yielded a mixed bag of results.

However, Kelman’s latest loan adventure has finally seen him prove his potential in League One. The striker has been prolific for the O’s, despite a recent run of wretched form which has seen them fall out of the play-off picture. The QPR loanee has scored 14 goals in 37 appearances for Orient in League One so far.

With that in mind, Marti Cifuentes faces a tough decision regarding Kelman’s future this summer. Do the R’s keep him at the club and utilise him next season? Or should they let him move on permanently and find a new home where he can thrive?

QPR face Charlie Kelman dilemma

After an excellent season in League One, Kelman may have caused his manager an unexpected headache. The striker hasn’t exactly been the most prolific striker before this season but has finally found his shooting boots in his second spell at Brisbane Road.

Kelman joined the R’s in 2020 from Southend United and looked to be an exciting prospect for the future. However, in his 23 appearances for the club over the last five years, the American is yet to find the back of the net in a league fixture and hasn’t featured for the Superhoops since late 2023.

Despite this, Kelman’s excellent form for Leyton Orient could be the catalyst for him to either make a permanent move away from QPR or get another shot at the first team. It’s certainly a tough situation for Cifuentes, as there is no guarantee that the decision he comes to will be the correct one.

The striker has proven to be a capable forward at League One level but is yet to make his mark in the Championship. However, with renewed confidence following his successful loan to Leyton Orient, next season could be Kelman's chance to turn his QPR career around.

Kelman should be retained until January 2026

Contrary to some beliefs, the 23-year-old isn’t out of contract with his parent club, and that means that a decision on Kelman’s future doesn’t necessarily mean a decision has to be made this summer, which is a good position for QPR to be in heading into the summer.

The fact that Kelman’s deal doesn’t expire will have interesting implications on any potential transfer, as suitors will be forced to cough up a fee that the R’s demand if he’s to be sold. It seems highly unlikely that Cifuentes will want to loan the striker out again.

A possibility for the Spanish manager could be to retain the ex-Southend attacker until January 2026, and then reassess the situation from then. If Kelman performs, keep hold of him. If not, a transfer away in the winter could be the smartest choice when it comes to the attacker’s future.

With nine games to go in League One this season, if the American could hit the 20-goal mark by the end of the season, that would be a monumental boost to take back to Loftus Road. Kelman’s loan spell may have breathed new life into his QPR career despite previous struggles.