Football League World
·28 July 2024
Football League World
·28 July 2024
Wolves are still keeping tabs on QPR defender Jake Clarke-Salter as they look for a replacement for Max Kilman.
Wolves remain interested in Queens Park Rangers defender Jake Clarke-Salter, with the Championship side open to a sale as they look to reinvest to strengthen their squad.
The centre-back joined the R’s in the summer of 2022, but he endured a difficult first campaign that was impacted by injury.
However, Clarke-Salter impressed last season, particularly under Marti Cifuentes, and journalist Darren Witcoop has revealed that his performances have caught the eye of Wolves.
The Midlands outfit sold Max Kilman to West Ham in a deal that is worth around £40m, and whilst they still have four senior centre-backs on their books, it’s believed that they could still be in the market for a new option.
And, the update explains that Wolves ‘continue to monitor’ Clarke-Salter, who would be seen as a like-for-like replacement for Kilman due to the fact he is left-footed and could easily slot in on that side of the back four.
Interestingly, it’s also said that QPR would be willing to cash in for the ‘right price’, as Marti Cifuentes wants to improve other areas of his squad, notably in the final third.
Of course, this is just speculation at the moment, but this rumour will concern some QPR fans as Clarke-Salter would surely be keen on making the switch to Molineux.
Craig Dawson, Santi Bueno, Toti Gomes and Yerson Mosquera are the four centre-backs competing for a place in Gary O’Neil’s XI, and it’s unclear right now who will be the preferred pairing.
So, Clarke-Salter would back himself to make a mark if he was given a chance, and he will feel his talent belongs in the Premier League.
The former Chelsea youngster has had some bad luck with injuries in the past, but when he is fit and available, he has proven himself to be a reliable performer, so Wolves’ interest is understandable.
As is often the case though, this potential move will come down to finances, and QPR are right to want a decent fee for a player who is under contract until the summer of 2026.
In an ideal world, Cifuentes would love to keep Clarke-Salter, as his partnership with Steve Cook was key to QPR’s fantastic form under the Spaniard, which ultimately kept them in the Championship last season.
But, we know the club isn't in a position where they can spend huge sums, so player trading is going to be necessary, which means that any big offers for players have to be considered.
If Wolves put up the sort of money that could help QPR bring in two or three players due to Clarke-Salter leaving, it’s something they would have to consider - and the same applies to most clubs in the league who are vulnerable to losing their star men.
This is one to watch over the coming weeks, and it will be interesting to see if Clarke-Salter remains at Loftus Road beyond the deadline.