'Proper' QPR player tipped for summer exit - it can help 'free up a lot of wages' | OneFootball

Steve Cook's contract at Queens Park Rangers is set to expire this summer

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Steve Cook is now in his third full season as a Queens Park Rangers player, though the 34-year-old's deal is set to expire at the end of the season, with no indication as yet that it will be renewed once more.

Former Rennes and Strasbourg boss Julien Stephan took over the reins at Loftus Road this summer following the departure of Marti Cifuentes to Leicester City, and it's been so far so good for the R's under his guidance.

Despite a humiliating 7-1 away defeat to Coventry City in just the third game of the season, QPR bounced back in their form to rise back up the table and assert themselves in the play-off picture.

Their attacking signings of the likes of Koki Saito, Richard Kone, and Kwame Poku all garnered mass attention, but not much was thought of the contract extension of veteran centre-back Steve Cook.

The former Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest defender has been a stalwart at the back for the West London outfit since he arrived at the club in the summer of 2023, initially signing a two-year deal with the R's with an option to extend for another.

Indeed, that option was taken up this summer, and Cook has remained an important figure in the R's defence once again this season alongside the likes of Jimmy Dunne, Jake Clarke-Salter, Liam Morrison, and Amadou Mbengue.

Now 34, his deal is once again due to expire at the end of the season. With no contract extension clause now in his deal, the R's must weigh up whether to offer the veteran a new deal or not before too long.

Football League World's QPR fan pundit, Louis, has shared their opinion on whether they expect Cook to remain at the club beyond this summer, with his contract due to expire.

Louis said, "He's been a solid servant, to be fair.

"He's been good to have at the club. He's done really well, to be fair, the majority of his QPR career.

"He's out of contract next season. I would be surprised if he's still at QPR next season. I just think it's one of those where it just runs down, and he's out of contract, and that's it now.

"I'd be surprised if we gave him a further year. I think we'll move him on, free up a lot of wages, I guess.

"Obviously, he's probably one of the biggest earners, and look, when he's played this season, he's actually been quite solid, and I think you can always call upon someone like that, especially in this league when you need that experience at the back as well.

"He's really, really helped us out. But look, I might be wrong. He might even have a couple more years in him to give.

"But I just think, you know, obviously signed on for this season. I just think next season it'll be thanks for everything and see you later sort of thing.

"You can't doubt what he's brought to the club on and off the pitch, especially. He's been really, really good, and it'd be class to sort of achieve something with a player like that because he's obviously had the experience of going up before with Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest.

"So fingers crossed that would be good to happen for him.

"I think he'll be moved on, definitely. But he's been a proper captain as well when he was captain last season.

"He's been good to have at the club."

Steve Cook has remained a regular at QPR this season under Julien Stephan despite his contract due to expire

At 34, it would have been understandable for QPR to release Cook from his contract and not offer him a new deal, but given his leadership both on and off the pitch, they decided to keep him around for at least one more year.

Upon his contract being extended, Cook said, "I love playing for QPR – especially at Loftus Road with the atmosphere.

"It’s been a rollercoaster, but I have loved every minute I've been at the club and I'm delighted to be able to stay here.

"I think I've still got a lot to offer, on and off the pitch. I've grown as a person at the club, trying to help out around the place with a lot of the younger players as well.

"I'm still hungry to play football. I feel like I can contribute and I'm excited to see what happens next season – I’m really excited to see where we can get to."

Under Stephan, Cook has remained a regular in the R's defence, and although he is not starting every game, the defender is proving to be worth the contract extension due to his presence alone.

QPR will be harnessing ambitions of a play-off finish this season, with the league as close as ever, almost every spot in the top-six is currently up for grabs.

Cook has earned promotion with both Bournemouth and Forest during his career, and will be hoping to do so once more with QPR come the end of the season, in what may be his final year in West London.