Marcus Stewart Linked With Move To QPR
Former Ipswich front man Stewart has been most heavily tipped to move to W12 this week. Ian Holloway almost bagged the striker over the summer when he left Sunderland after winning the division last season to join his boyhood heroes Bristol City where he would apparently end his career.
However City's hilariously poor form, resulting in the sacking of tactical genius Brian Tinnion who brought Stewart to the club, has affected his early Robins career. 4 goals from 14 starts in all competitions isn't what the City fans were hoping for after his high profile move over the summer and new City manager Gary Johnson seems keen to offload both Stewart and former Leeds man Michael Bridges to free up funds for new arrivals in the transfer window.
The Bristol Evening Post reported on Thursday that 33 year old Stewart would move to Loftus Road in time for the R's match with Plymouth next week, initially on loan with a view to a permanent deal in January. Tony Pulis' side and struggling Millwall have also been linked with a move for the striker by the local Bristol press.
Ian Holloway had the rumour mill turning ever faster on Thursday by announcing to QPR World that he was close to bringing a forward in on loan with a view to taking over his contract. Olly will also be looking at a number of foreign trialists in training over the coming weeks.
Despite receiving assurances that he was still in Johnson's plans after a goal and sound performance in a midweek friendly against Reading, Stewart only made the bench as City crashed 2-1 to rock bottom Swindon on Friday night. The writing would seem to be on the wall for Marcus, though whether Loftus Road is his eventual destination we shall have to see.
Meanwhile Sky Sports remain adamant that Holloway's top target this transfer window will be Millwall forward Barry Hayles. Hayles has also bagged four goals this season, including one against Rangers at the New Den, and has been constantly linked with a move across town since QPR were promoted to the Championship. With Millwall's season threatening to peter out into embarrassment and money growing ever tighter down Bermondsey way, Hayles could also be available on a loan followed by free transfer basis as they look to cut costs.
Danny Dichio would be the outside bet although Rangers witnessed first hand his poor form on the pitch and merciless abuse from his own fans off it when they drew with Preston a month ago. Billy Davis has Agyemang, Nugent and money from the sale of Cresswell to play with in January and may look to offload Dichio after a poor few months for the Hammersmith Horse in Lancashire.
In other news on the pitch Marcus Bean looks all set to head home after a tremendous two month loan with high flying Swansea City in League One. My spies in Rotherham tell me he was the best player on the pitch at Millmoor a fortnight ago when he scored in a two all draw and despite repeatedly stating that he would jump at a permanent move to Kenny Jackett's side it would appear he will be back at Harlington from next week.
Marcus' contract is up this summer and though Holloway did hint that he would be offered an extension, Bean may wish to try his hand at the Bosman market with some more first team games now safely under his belt and numerous more experienced players ahead of him in the pecking order at Rangers.
Off the pitch Brazilian Dunga has apparently bought Bill Power's 17.6% stake in the club for £1.1million. I stress that this story did come from this morning's Sun so it's about as reliable as one of my Grandad's horse racing tips but nevertheless there seems to be some substance to the report.
Obviously QPR will not see any of the money as the purchase was made from Power and not the club but Chairman Gianni Paladini allegedly told The Sun; "Dunga's investment shows he is more than a good advert for QPR. He would like to come to more games but he has business interests in Japan and Brazil."
don'y know, should we or should'nt we, bit of a gamble ! :?
