Karamoko Dembele has showed why QPR could afford to sanction Ilias Chair, Leeds transfer: View | OneFootball

Dembele is already proving to be a creative force, and with Leeds sniffing around Chair, could the R's cash in for the right price?

Queens Park Rangers may not have secured their first win of the season yet, but they've shown enough promise to give fans hope for a strong campaign ahead.

An opening-day defeat to West Bromwich Albion was followed by draws against Sheffield United and Plymouth Argyle. The result against Plymouth was particularly disappointing, given the number of chances QPR had to secure victory.

And the man creating a lot of these opportunities has been new signing, Karamoko Dembélé.

Having joined Marti Cifuentes' side on loan earlier this month from Stade Brestois, not many would have expected the former Celtic man to have such an immediate impact.

But, the 21-year-old has picked up from where he left last season with Blackpool in League One and seems set on having a strong season in west London.

His performances and previous work on loan with the Seasiders suggests he can ease the burden on QPR star man Ilias Chair.

Chair has been the creator-in-chief for QPR in recent years, but hasn't featured in a game yet this season, with a back injury keeping him on the sidelines.

In addition, there is transfer interest swirling in the final week of the summer window, with Leeds United reported to be circling as they look to use some of the money they have made this summer from the sales of Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter.

The departure of Chair would be disappointing long-term, but for this season Dembélé can fill the void left by the Moroccan, with his creative genius more than matching the 26-year-old's.

Leeds United chasing Ilias Chair as QPR could have a big decision to make

Although he is currently injured, Leeds are showing a keen interest in signing Chair, as per a report from Football Insider.

This interest comes as something of a surprise, given that the Whites had just captured Largie Ramazani from UD Almería and are on the verge of signing Manor Solomon from Tottenham Hotspur on loan.

These two wingers will provide new options in the final third, but Chair represents Championship experience and is perhaps a more natural replacement for Georginio Rutter in the attacking midfield position, having featured over 200 times in the division. During that period, he has managed 68 goal contributions, lighting up a confidence-stricken Loftus Road.

Just two weeks ago, QPR wouldn't have considered selling him, but Dembélé's emergence has made this deal more palatable.

With only a year left on his contract (albeit with an option to extend by a further year into 2026) and the timing so late in the window, the QPR hierarchy will likely be seeking a deal in the region of £10 million or more for the Moroccan.

Should a bid of that value come, it would represent good business for the Hoops, and it could also give them the chance to re-invest into multiple positions of Cifuentes' squad.

Karamoko Dembele's immediate QPR impact would ease the pain of an Ilias Chair sale

While you can be sure that QPR fans would like to see Dembélé and Chair on the same pitch, the arrival of the former could soften the blow of losing the Moroccan.

In his two league outings so far, the former Blackpool loanee has been a real star, creating chances for his teammates at will.

So far, Dembele has created 12 chances (the highest figure in the league), earning himself two assists in the process. Both of these have been corners, but in open play too, he is proving a real danger.

Reflecting on last season, QPR fans can expect more of the same, as Dembélé averaged 2.63 chances created per 90 minutes and delivered 1.23 successful crosses per game for Blackpool.

And with Dembele featuring in a central role under Cifuentes, which you'd argue is Chair's best position, it gives even more of a reason for the R's to potentially cash in on his services, and when it comes to the left flank, where Chair has also played a lot, Koki Saito and Alfie Lloyd can provide options there.

If Cifuentes isn't satisfied with this option, the funds they receive from selling the attacking midfielder could be reinvested into acquiring a new player.

Although a last-minute deal might come with an inflated price, they could still aim to bring in a solid player of second tier level.

Looking ahead, Dembélé has proven himself more than capable of replicating Chair's genius, making the possible decision to cash in on the Moroccan a sensible one, if it comes to it.