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One of the R's latest signings can help fill the void that may soon be left by two key players

For those of a QPR persuasion, the 2024/25 does have the potential to be a rather exciting one.

While they may have spent much of last season in a Championship relegation battle, the excellent form they produced following the appointment of Marti Cifuentes as manager saw them to safety.

It also provided evidence that, with the Spaniard seemingly now set to stay at Loftus Road for next season, they ought to be aiming further up the table for this coming campaign.

If they are to do that, they will have to add to the options in their squad during this summer's transfer window, and QPR have now started to do just that.

QPR welcome new arrivals to strengthen Marti Cifuentes' hand

Over the past week or so, the R's have completed their first three signings of the summer transfer window for their first-team.

Goalkeeper Paul Nardi and right-back Hervetton Santos have joined on free transfer from Belgian side Gent and Portuguese outfit Estrela da Amadora respectively.

QPR have also started to invest funds in the window too, paying an undisclosed fee to sign Liam Morrison as their third signing of the summer for Cifuentes' side.

The centre back has arrived at the club from Bayern Munich, having been on the books of the German giants for the past five years.

Now, having made that move to QPR, it could be argued that the addition of Morrison is one that will help the club, in coping with any potential twists in the futures of two of their other key players.

Liam Morrison can help QPR replace Steve Cook and Jake Clarke-Salter

Admittedly, there is an argument that the current options available to Cifuentes, mean that a new first choice centre back need not have been a priority for the club this summer.

In Steve Cook and Jake Clarke-Salter, QPR already have two experienced and established options, who have shown in recent times that they are more than good enough to do a job in that role.

However, it is worth noting that as things stand, Cook is now into the final year of his contract at Loftus Road, and at 33-years-old, may be approaching the latter stages of his career.

Meanwhile, Clarke-Salter - who has two years to go on his deal at Loftus Road -has already reportedly attracted interest from other clubs, including in the Premier League.

As a result, it may not be easy for QPR to retain either of those two players much longer, beyond this summer transfer window.

That could ensure that the signing of Morrison now, proves to be a smart one for the R's. While he never made a first-team appearance for Bayern, he does by contrast, have first-team experience in England.

Last season saw the centre back impress during a loan spell with Wigan Athletic, helping them finish comfortably in mid-table in the League One standings, despite having numerous points deducted.

Thanks to that experience, it does seem as though he may now be ready to make the step-up to the Championship.

Indeed, with Cook and Clarke-Salter ahead of him in the pecking order, there ought to be time for Morrison to adapt and settle into that role, before stepping into a first choice position when one of them moves on.

At 21-years-old, there is plenty of time for him to get his chance in that role at Loftus Road, being much younger than Clarke-Salter and especially Cook, to ensure he is a longer-term option in that respect as well.

With all that in mind, it therefore looks as though the signing of Morrison could turn out to be a smart signing for QPR, both for this season, and looking some way into the future as well, as they aim to maintain their strong set of options at centre back, even as certain individuals potentially move on.