Paper Talk - Heikkinen and Smith linked
The Paddington Mercury is this week linking QPR with moves for two Championship players - Markus Heikkinen from Luton Town and Ryan Smith at Derby.
The Mercury is reporting that a deal for Finish centre half Heikkinen could be tied up by the beginning of next week. The 28 year old was part of the Luton side relegated from the Championship this season and scored an own goal for QPR in the R's 3-2 win at Kenilworth Road before Christmas. Nevertheless the former Aberdeen man has always looked very impressive against Rangers in his time with Luton. He would be able to move for free as his contract expires this summer. He made 37 appearances and scored once (at the right end) for Luton last season.
It may cost John Gregory slightly more to follow up his interest in Derby's Ryan Smith. The young winger is likely to cost about a quarter of a million pounds but looks like Gregory's preferred option now Chelsea' Scott Sinclair has picked up a foot injury. Smith signed for Derby last summer from Arsenal after a successful loan spell with leicester but has found his first team opportunities at Pride Park limited by the form of Giles Barnes and the signing of Gary Teale. The Mercury says Derby are looking for £300k for the player who finished the season on loan at Millwall.
