Fulham midfield ace set to leave in 2027 - QPR & Southampton must plot moves ASAP | OneFootball

Harrison Reed is set to leave Fulham at the end of the season, as QPR and Southampton should prepare moves

The summer transfer window offers clubs across the Championship an opportunity to pick up players for nothing who let their contracts run down at their former clubs. Already looking ahead to next year, there are some interesting names that will be catching the eye of numerous second-tier sides.

Though the transfer window is closed until January, working on recruitment never stops, as teams across the EFL will be looking ahead to the winter window, as well as next summer for opportunities in the market.

As Premier League clubs continue to build and improve their squads, fringe players tend to get pushed out of the picture, making them potentially interesting targets for teams in the division below.

Taking a look at Fulham, 31-year-old English midfielder Harrison Reed has seen his game time slashed in recent seasons, and with less than 12 months remaining on his current deal, he ought to be on the radar of numerous Championship clubs.

Action images

Reed joined Fulham in the summer of 2019, initially on loan from Southampton, but having impressed in West London, his move was made permanent the following year for around £6 million.

Having previously enjoyed loan spells with Blackburn Rovers and Norwich City, Reed has since gone on to make over 200 appearances for the Cottagers across all competitions.

However, he has seen his minutes dwindle year-on-year as Fulham have continued to recruit in the middle of the park, but despite this, he remains a more than steady option in the middle of the park.

Should this be his final year at Craven Cottage, a host of Championship clubs should be queuing up, as Football League World takes a look at two clubs that should be pouncing for his signature.

Queens Park Rangers

Action images

Queens Park Rangers have had an excellent start to the season, winning three, drawing four, and losing just one of their opening eight league games, as Julien Stephan's side aim for the top eight places.

The R's endured a solid summer window working within a tight budget, bringing in the likes of Boy Kemper, Tariq Lamptey, and Dennis Cirkin on free transfers, whilst Glenn Kamara and Pierce Charles are on loan.

Should they be working with similar financial muscle next summer, then free transfers will likely be a priority once more, as Reed would surely be an attractive option.

With Jonathan Varane having been strongly linked away previously and Kamara only on loan, this leaves just Nicolas Madsen as the only out-and-out senior defensive midfielder permanently contracted to the club.

Reed, with over a century of appearances in the Championship and Premier League, would add some much-needed experience and quality to the middle of the park, and should he want to remain in West London, he wouldn't have to travel far for QPR.

Certainly, QPR will be hoping to be playing top-flight football next season, but regardless of what division they are in, Reed would be an excellent option.

Southampton

Action Images

Southampton, like QPR, will have promotion ambitions of their own, and after last season's play-off fiasco, may be more motivated than their capital counterparts to push for a top eight place this year.

There remains a huge degree of uncertainty surrounding head coach Tonda Eckert as to whether the German will be banned for his role in the 'spygate' scandal, but despite this, the Saints must continue to march on.

James Ward-Prowse was brought back to the club over the summer from West Ham United to replace the Fulham-bound Shea Charles, and with a new midfielder likely to be on their shopping list next summer, a return for Reed makes a lot of sense.

The Englishman made just 30 appearances across all competitions for the Hampshire-based outfit, and may feel as though he has a point to prove, and some unfinished business to attend to.

Reed would count towards Southampton's homegrown quota, but not there just to make up the numbers, would add significant quality, bite, and technical brilliance to the Saints midfield.

With Ward-Prowse's return sealed, Reed ought to follow suit, regardless of what division Southampton are in next season.