Millwall and Birmingham City set to battle for QPR player ahead of Friday deadline | OneFootball

The Lions and Blues are both keen on landing Scotland international Lyndon Dykes

Millwall and Birmingham City are both interested in successfully striking a deal for QPR forward Lyndon Dykes ahead of the conclusion of the summer transfer window on Friday evening.

The latest development in Dykes' future at Loftus Road comes via a report from The Mirror's Dan Marsh, who has revealed the interest of the two clubs in the Scotland international frontman.

Dykes joined the R's from Livingston in August 2020 and recorded the highest league goals tally of his career in his debut campaign by scoring on 12 occasions.

However, the 28-year-old appears to have slipped down the pecking order under Marti Cifuentes and returned just six goals from 41 Championship appearances in the previous campaign.

QPR have added Zan Celar to their ranks this summer after bringing in Michael Frey from Royal Antwerp back in January.

Millwall and Birmingham City interested in QPR's Lyndon Dykes

Millwall and Birmingham are looking to acquire Dykes ahead of a likely departure from QPR this week, Marsh has reported.

His claim details that Millwall have held talks with Middlesbrough's Josh Coburn in what would be a record deal for Neil Harris' side.

However, it is believed that Millwall have decided to reignite their interest in Dykes amid a current breakdown in negotiations for Coburn, with Harris eager to bolster the attacking options at his disposal before Friday's deadline.

Kevin Nisbet's return to Scotland with Aberdeen on a loan basis has been sanctioned, strengthening their need for a new centre-forward, although the Lions will face competition in their pursuits for Dykes from ambitious League One side Birmingham.

Blues have undertaken a flurry of exciting summer transfer activity in a bid to swiftly secure promotion from League One under their ambitious ownership consortium, but Chris Davies remains somewhat light up top after only signing Alfie May to date.

Dykes, meanwhile, was on the scoresheet in QPR's opening day 2-2 draw away to promotion hopefuls Sheffield United, though the striker was left out of the squad for Saturday's home draw against Plymouth Argyle.

When quizzed on whether Dykes is going to remain at QPR after being excluded from the matchday squad, Cifuentes played his cards close to his chest but did not rule out a departure for the 28-year-old.

The Spaniard said: "I don’t know about this question. I just pick players who are available.

"He was not available and I just try to focus on the players that are on the pitch. They did a good job."

QPR must offload Lyndon Dykes amid Millwall, Birmingham City transfer interest

Dykes has now spent four seasons with QPR, where he has largely flattered to deceive.

Although few can contest the imperious physical and aerial presence offered by the attacker, the goals simply have not been forthcoming quite enough to justify him remaining as a crucial part of Cifuentes' thinking.

The Spanish boss is evidently keen to overhaul QPR's previously-direct playing style with a fresh and more progressive, attack-minded approach which has an emphasis on keeping as much of the ball as possible, and Dykes does not fit in to a less-pragmatic modus operandi.

He is very much an archetypal target man, which is why he would represent an ideal fit for Millwall.

That is, after all, the way in which Harris looks to set his team up through long goal kicks, limited emphasis on possession and a more significant emphasis upon holding the ball up, breaking quick and utilising set pieces.

QPR should keep that in mind, then, just as they must remember Millwall are desperate for a striker. The Lions' position can allow QPR to negotiate a higher price for Dykes and questions need to be asked about where he would fit in at Birmingham.

Under the new tuition of ex-Tottenham Hotspur assistant Davies, and with a highly-technical squad, Blues are also incorporating a real possession-based approach and Dykes is simply too direct, and too limited in build-up play, to align with that way of playing the game.