How much Richard Kone could earn at QPR as deal is agreed | OneFootball

We looked at how much Wycombe Wanderers striker Richard Kone could earn at QPR.

It has been a busy summer so far for Queens Park Rangers, and it seems they are now closing in on the signing of Wycombe Wanderers striker Richard Kone.

After parting company with Marti Cifuentes in June following a period of gardening leave, QPR appointed former Rennes and Strasbourg manager Julien Stephan as their new head coach, and the Frenchman has been given strong backing in the transfer market.

The R's have brought in four new signings so far this summer in Kealey Adamson, Amadou Mbengue, Kwame Poku and Rumarn Burrell, and Stephan could now be set to strengthen his squad even further.

According to journalist Pete O'Rourke, the Hoops have agreed a fee for Wycombe striker Kone, and it would be a big coup for the West London outfit if they were to complete a deal for the in-demand 22-year-old.

QPR set to win race for Wycombe Wanderers striker Richard Kone

Kone joined Wycombe from non-league side Athletic Newham in January 2024, and he scored an impressive 18 goals in 41 appearances to help the club to a fifth-placed finish in League One last season, as well as netting a further three times in cup competitions.

Preston North End, Swansea City, Leicester City, Toulouse and Celtic have all been linked with Kone this summer, and amid increasing speculation over his future, he was left out of the Chairboys' squad for their opening day defeat at Bradford City.

Kone featured as a second-half substitute as Wycombe fell to another defeat against Stockport County on Saturday, with manager Mike Dodds revealing post-match that the club's asking price had not yet been met, but it appears the situation has now changed after a fee was agreed with QPR.

It is unclear exactly how much the R's have offered for Kone, but it was reported last week that the Chairboys had reduced their valuation of the striker to £3 million plus add-ons as he enters the final year of his contract at Adams Park.

As the Hoops close in on a deal for Kone, we looked at how much the Ivorian could potentially earn in wages at Loftus Road.

How much Richard Kone could earn in wages at QPR

After excessive spending during their Premier League days led to well-documented financial problems, QPR have significantly reduced their wage bill in recent years.

According to Capology, the R's current highest-paid player is defender Steve Cook, who is said to earn £30,000-a-week and £1,560,000-a-year, although it should be stressed that those figures are estimates.

However, the Hoops' next top earners - Jack Colback, Taylor Richards and Michael Frey - are all estimated to earn £15,000-a-week and £780,000-a-year, which is exactly half of Cook's salary.

Ilias Chair is regarded by many as QPR's best player, but the midfielder is only thought to be on £6,923-a-week and £360,000-a-year, and with such variation between player salaries, it is difficult to assess where Kone will fit into the club's wage structure.

It is unclear exactly how much Kone currently earns at Wycombe, but it is fair to say that the striker will be in line for a significant pay rise if he makes the move to Loftus Road, reflecting both his performances over the last 12 months and his new status as a Championship player.

Given that Kone would be the R's marquee signing of the summer, he will likely be offered a lucrative financial package, and it would be no surprise to see him become the club's second-highest earner behind Cook, or at least level with Colback, Richards and Frey's salaries of £15,000-a-week.

As the Hoops are set to pay a sizeable transfer fee for Kone's services, they will be hoping that he can replicate his prolific League One form in the Championship this season and help them emerge as serious play-off contenders.