QPR need to be 'all over' £0 Sunderland transfer - and not Rhys Norrington-Davies | OneFootball

The Hoops have been told to target the left-back who is set to be in demand this summer.

If QPR are going to improve on their 15th-placed finish in the Championship, then they are going to need to bring in quality players this summer.

The Hoops were in with an outside chance of reaching the play-offs, but a woeful end to the season saw them finish 15 points behind sixth-placed Hull City.

Julien Stephan's side are among a host of clubs who will be striving for progress, but with the division packed with big clubs, it is going to be a challenge.

However, there is one player who will be in serious demand when he departs Sunderland at the end of the month, and the West London club have been told to make a move for him.

Sunderland left-back Dennis Cirkin should be a target for QPR

Dennis Cirkin will be a free agent this summer after he announced his departure from the Stadium of Light in an emotional Instagram message.

The left-back has played an instrumental part in guiding the Black Cats from League One to the Premier League and was one of the last few players remaining from their time in the third tier.

However, after the arrival of Reinildo, the 24-year-old has fallen down the pecking order, making just eight league appearances this term, and the Wearsiders are expected to strengthen again ahead of their Europa League campaign.

When asked whether he is a player that his club should have their eyes on, FLW's QPR pundit Louis Moir was in no doubt about what they should do.

"If I was in charge of signings, I think Dennis Cirkin would be more than an ideal target," he told Football League World.

"At left-back, obviously, a position we really need to sort out ahead of next season. For someone his age, he's had big experience already in his career at Sunderland, getting promoted.

"He is a real top left-back for this level, definitely more than capable, good age, and has the potential yet to still have his best years ahead of him.

"I'm sure a few years ago, there were rumours that we were potentially interested in him on loan, I think, when he was at Tottenham.

"If his quality is available on a free transfer, don't get me wrong, loads of Championship clubs are probably going to be after him, but there's no reason why we shouldn't be in the race for him."

Why the Hoops should target Cirkin over Rhys Norrington-Davies

Rhys Norrington-Davies has been the R's regular left-back, but he will be returning to Sheffield United following his season-long loan at Loftus Road.

The Welshman made 28 appearances in the Championship for the West Londoners, scoring once, and delivered some encouraging possession-based statistics, ranking in the top eight per cent of left-backs for duels won and aerial duels won, according to Futmob.

However, Louis explained why a move for Cirkin should be prioritised over attempting to bring Norrington-Davies back to the club.

"If we're interested in getting Rhys Norrington-Davies back on a permanent, he would cost money; Dennis Cirkin wouldn't," he continued.

"Who would you rather have? You'd obviously have Cirkin; he's the better player. I just feel like if there are players like that available on a free, in a position that we need, we need to be all over that big time. I don't see a reason why they wouldn't look at a player like that.

"Potentially wages, but I'm sure he's on the radar of a lot of clubs. I'd love to see that signing happen, because he would add not just quality, but experience. That would just solidify the left-back position.

"I think any club who gets Cirkin would be getting a real top deal there, especially on a free transfer."

While Cirkin was unable to show his true potential at Premier League level, he was one of the Championship's leading left-backs and showcased his immense attacking ability at the start of the 2024/25 campaign.

He contributed three goals and two assists in Sunderland's promotion season and easily adapted to the tough physical demands of an end-to-end attacking left-back under Regis Le Bris.

In Norrington-Davies, QPR have had a player who has been generally reliable, but in Cirkin the club would possess a player with real ability at both ends of the pitch and, at 24, he still has plenty of potential.

Of course, there will likely be heaps of interest in the defender, but given that he grew up in London while developing at Tottenham, he may be tempted to return to the capital with the R's.