Blackburn Rovers & QPR pushing to seal Oxford United transfer agreement | OneFootball

Blackburn Rovers and QPR are eyeing a summer transfer deal with Oxford United, with the Championship pair 'chasing' one of their star players...

Blackburn Rovers survived relegation over Oxford United, but Tony Mowbray's side and Queens Park Rangers could be about to swoop for an Oxford player.

For clubs like QPR and Blackburn Rovers in 2026/27, smart recruitment will be far more important than simply trying to outspend their Championship rivals. With clubs boasting significantly greater financial muscle, both sides should be targeting younger or from abroad often.

However, the best talent from League One, particularly players at relegated clubs who may be available for reasonable fees, is also a workaround. Those players often arrive with a point to prove and the potential to develop into Championship standouts in the long-term.

It is a market that has produced plenty of success stories over the years. Neither QPR nor Blackburn need the biggest budget to challenge for the top eight, but they do need to consistently uncover value where others are not looking. Getting recruitment right can bridge much of the financial gap.

Blackburn and QPR eye Oxford United midfielder Brian De Keersmaecker

Despite Oxford's relegation after just two seasons in the Championship, a few players stood out. One was signed a year into their stint in the second tier, with the club smashing their transfer record to bring in Brian De Keersmaecker from Heracles.

Per the BBC, it smashed the £1 million they paid for Ole Romeny. The 26-year-old played the season at the base of midfield and was one of Oxford's outstanding technical players, albeit only playing 28 times for the club.

The two goals and five assists were not enough to keep his side in the division, but the midfielder is attracting interest from a number of clubs. Blackburn and QPR are among a number of clubs in England and abroad chasing the Oxford ace.

Journalist Pete O'Rourke states that they are just two clubs in the mix, given several German Bundesliga and Italian Serie A sides are also chasing De Keersmaecker’s signature this summer.

Charlton Athletic have previously been tipped to sign De Keersmaecker, with Oxford needing to sell due to the embargo placed upon them by the EFL in recent weeks.

How Blackburn and QPR fans are reacting to Brian De Keersmaecker

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A number of fans of both QPR and Blackburn have already decided to have their say on X (formerly Twitter) to react to the transfer link, with most pleased to see their club keen on the midfielder.

A Blackburn fan responded: "Very doubtful but yes please. Player."

A further reply from a Blackburn fan read: "I mean, I'd love for this to happen so much. Too many teams/leagues involved to get any sort of hope, but I hope they can prove me wrong. I'll be the first one to congratulate them if they do this."

A final Blackburn reply stated: "Linked with him before he went Oxford. If this is even a possibility it needs to be the priority of the summer."