3 ways QPR can use big Charlie Kelman cash windfall after Charlton Athletic deal

It appears that Stephan would greatly benefit from having another body on the left side of QPR’s defence.

The only natural left-back alternatives the Hoops have left are Ziyad Larkeche and Esquerdinha, as Kenneth Paal left

when his contract expired.

Larkeche, who hasn’t shown much at the Championship level, is back to Loftus Road after spending time on loan

with Dundee FC in the Scottish Premiership.

It would be asking a lot of the young Brazilian to take on a major part for QPR next season, even though Esquerdinha

hasn’t made his first professional appearance since joining from Fluminense in February.

As such, a move for Viborg starlet Srdjan Kuzmic could be one to consider for Rangers.

The 21-year-old is one of Slovenia’s best young players, as demonstrated by the fact that he played the entire 90

minutes of Slovenia’s three group matches against Czechia, England, and Germany at the most recent Under-21

European Championships. He is equally at ease playing at left-back or right-back and has also demonstrated the

ability to fill in at centre-back.

The youthful full-back, who was signed by Danish top division team Viborg from Slovenian team Mura in the

summer of 2023, has had two successful seasons in the Danish Superligaen but may now be prepared to challenge

himself by moving to England.

Kuzmic is already a full Slovenian international too, having made his senior international debut in a 1-0 win over the

USA in January last year, in which he played 88 minutes before being substituted off.

We’ve seen QPR dip into the European market on numerous ocassions in recent years, with the likes of Nicolas

Madsen, Zan Celar, Michael Frey, Jonathan Varane and Paul Nardi all arriving at Loftus Road having been plying

their trades on the continent, and Kuzmic could be an excellent addition to that list.

Chris Mepham

AFC Bournemouth

Central Defence is another area that may use some improvement.

Whether Morgan Fox signs a new contract with the team or leaves as a free agent is still up in the air, but even if he

does, his season last season was somewhat lacklustre in terms of individual performances.

Although Steve Cook, now 34, was a reliable player for the R’s in 2024–2025, he missed 15 league games the

previous season, and his age may soon begin to catch up with him in terms of his ability to play many games most

weeks.

QPR did a superb piece of business with Southampton in January with Ronnie Edwards, but with him now back at St

Mary’s, Stephan may need another central defender to ensure he’s got enough strength in depth ahead of a long EFL

season in this key area of the pitch.

One player who was excellent in the Championship last season was Chris Mepham, who enjoyed an excellent loan

spell with eventual play-off winners Sunderland from Bournemouth.

The 27-year-old Wales international, who joined the Cherries in January 2019 from Brentford, has never been able

to establish himself as a starter at the Vitality Stadium.

Mepham, who has only one year left on his contract and is in the peak of his career, will undoubtedly want to make

sure he plays regular games in the upcoming years, but that doesn’t appear likely at Bournemouth.

He may therefore compete for another promotion to the top division and play a key role at Loftus Road if he joins a

revitalised and ambitious QPR team.

Koki Saito

Lommel

One of the standout performers for QPR last season, Koki Saito quickly endeared himself to the Loftus Road faithful

with his personality, hard-work and obvious ability.

The 23-year-old joined the club on a season-long loan deal from Belgian second division side Lommel, and was able

to score three goals and provide a further three assists in 39 Championship appearances.

With all due respect, he has now demonstrated that he deserves to play at a level higher than the second division of

Belgian football with Lommel, and considering the influence he had with the Hoops, he would likely be greeted with

open arms upon his return.

His contract with Lommel is scheduled to end in the summer of 2027, according to Transfermarkt, so if QPR wants

to hire him on a long-term basis this summer, they will need to pay a premium.

Bringing him back could enable Ilias Chair to move permanently back into a central role where he is arguably more

effective, and pairing him on the flanks with new signing Kwame Poku, well that provide Stephan with some real

cutting edge out wide.