Queens Park Rangers are facing a showdown with Blackburn Rovers and clubs from across Europe in the chase to sign Oxford United‘s Brian De Keersmaecker.
The midfielder played just 28 times in his injury-limited debut season for the Yellows, having only moved to the club 12 months ago from Eredivisie side Heracles Almelo.
Chase Heats Up
Now, according to Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider, several sides are now seeking a move for De Keersmaecker, including two Championship sides in Blackburn Rovers and Queens Park Rangers.
They are not the only clubs in the second tier that have eyed a deal for the 26-year-old, with reports back in May linking Derby County with the Belgian, and have also been joined by clubs in Italy and Germany.
De Keersmaecker has been stuck on the sidelines since February, with his season curtailed due to a shoulder injury which required surgery and was unable to play a role in stopping Oxford from being relegated into League One.
Now under new manager Aaron Ramsey, the U’s are facing a very turbulent summer after it was confirmed that the club had been placed under a transfer embargo which is not expected to be lifted until at least the January window.
Other players have been targeted by Championship clubs, with Football Lowdown exclusively reporting that one unnamed team is eyeing a £1 million move for Jamie McDonnell, while Preston North End have been linked with a deal for Stan Mills.
Queens Park Rangers are in need of new midfield options following their early-window transfer decisions, with Sam Field joining Norwich City permanently and the release of Isaac Hayden as a free agent.
Tough Deal To Strike
With a transfer embargo in place and with several of their players coveted, Oxford United are in serious trouble of losing some key talent in a season where they were initially expected to challenge for promotion back into the Championship.
Now, Brian De Keersmaecker is now a man in serious demand, with several clubs from the second tier and both the Bundesliga and Serie A eyeing a move.
While Oxford will be keen to retain all of their players due to their restrictions, the allure of playing in a top five European league may force their hand in this particular case, and that could lead to a sale.
Queens Park Rangers will be hopeful of striking a deal amid that competition, and while he may not be at full fitness as of yet, a deal would be a great addition to challenge Jonathan Varane and Kieran Morgan for regular action in the Championship.
