QPR, Portsmouth and Derby County in transfer chase for Celtic man | OneFootball

Bosun Lawal has been one of the shining lights for Fleetwood in what has been a dreary campaign, as the Cod Army saw themselves relegated from League One after nine years in the third tier of English football.

With a return to his parent club Celtic on the horizon for Lawal, this summer is set to bring a large amount of interest in the versatile youngster.

According to Alan Nixon of The Sun, Marti Cifuentes' QPR are leading the race for the Republic of Ireland under-21 international, with promoted duo Portsmouth and Derby also among his suitors.

Highbury stadium been host to a season of turmoil as four different managers have passed through the gates, with Charlie Adam now the man looking to lead the Lancashire outfit back to League One in 2024-25.

One man that has seriously impressed despite all the adversity though is Lawal.

Having joined Celtic from Watford in 2021, Hoops fans have high hopes for what the youngster could provide for them in the future.

Undoubtedly, this year's spell on the Fylde coast has been a great boost to his development, playing across a range of positions that include right-back, centre-back and central midfield - the latter where he has found himself playing regularly under Adam.

In a league campaign where he has accrued 3,544 minutes across 42 matches, Lawal has impressed not only with his aerial ability but his knack of scoring important goals, finding the back of the net six times despite being a more defensive-minded player.

Playing most of the second half of the season in midfield, he ranks among the top 15% of players in League One for duels won and aerial battles won, according to FotMob. Likewise, his dribbling and accurate long ball ability are both very strong, coming in the top 25% for both of those in terms of engine room operators.

Statistically brilliant, Lawal has also been widely praised by current manager Charlie Adam, who recently said: "How he dribbles with the ball, his touches and passes - there are not many midfielders like that in the Championship in England let alone League One."

QPR, Portsmouth and Derby County all keen on Celtic's Bosun Lawal

After QPR confirmed their place in the 2024/25 Championship with a 4-0 victory over promotion-chasing Leeds United on Friday night, the West London club can begin planning for next season.

With statistics and wide appraisal of Lawal, it is no surprise then that Cifuentes' side are desperate to bring him to Loftus Road. With Celtic seeing a future for the 20-year-old, a loan move is believed to be the most likely outcome next summer.

A worry for R's fans though will be the recently promoted duo of Portsmouth and Derby, who also share an interest in the midfielder. Both looking to cement their place in the Championship next year, the Irish youngster could prove to be a stellar signing for either side.

For Lawal and his parent club, it is probable that more clubs will end up showing an interest, and that will mean the youngster can have a say over who he would like to join.

With QPR the most interested party currently, a year alongside either Sam Field in midfield or Steve Cook in the centre of defence could provide the versatile youngster with a great deal of experience.

Celtic will feel wherever Lawal goes he will likely impress and indisputably showcase that he is a star in the making for them.