QPR: Sam Field, Norwich transfer causes debate - "I don't understand fans who are gutted" | OneFootball

Queens Park Rangers sold Sam Field to Championship rivals Norwich City

Queens Park Rangers require a strong summer transfer window to enjoy a more successful Championship campaign next season.

The R's finished just 15th in the second tier last term, as boss Julien Stephan struggled to establish consistency in his first season managing in English football.

QPR have not finished in the top half of the Championship table since 2022, which is a fact they will hope to change as soon as possible.

The West London outfit have also never managed to qualify for the second-tier play-offs since being relegated from the Premier League in 2015, and Stephan would become a fan favourite if he leads them to a top-eight spot next season.

Queens Park Rangers praised for permanent sale of Sam Field

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Stephan's men have already been busy in the summer transfer market, as left-back Boy Kemper has joined the Championship club from Dutch top-flight side NAC Breda.

Meanwhile, QPR have agreed to sell midfielder Sam Field to Norwich for a fee that could rise to £3 million including add-ons, although it is worth an initial £1.5 million.

Field spent the second half of last season on loan with the Canaries, registering one assist in 15 appearances across all competitions for Philippe Clement's side.

Football League World asked our QPR fan pundit, Louis Moir, if he was happy with the deal to sell the 28-year-old to Norwich, or if he still had more to offer at Loftus Road.

Moir told FLW: "I think it was inevitable that it was going to happen. Going back to Norwich on a permanent is no surprise to me at all. I don't understand some fans who are gutted.

"They're saying it's a bad decision that we're letting him go. It comes to a point with certain players that have been at your club for too long, they need to move on.

"It's the best for them, it's the best for us. We've made decent business out of it. You've got to move on with certain players. He didn't fit the system we're going for now.

"It's a different approach. Sam Field is not a bad player when you're above relegation, a mid-table sort of side. But you've got to move on. Getting a decent fee for him, it's good business.

"Our midfield now needs a bit of a revamp, not just because of Field going. Regardless of that, we need a better midfielder next to (Nicolas) Madsen. Kieran Morgan could (be) potentially loaned out, (Jonathan) Varane could still leave.

"We might need a couple of bodies in there. It's going to allow us to get a player or two to replace with that money. All round, it's a good move.

"Field was obviously, for the most part, quite solid for us, played a lot of games, did a job. Like I say, that was when we were fighting relegation, staying up in the Championship.

"With the team wanting to be more progressive, you look at the performances of Madsen last season. You need better players in midfield to do really well in this league.

"Field's not that answer. We'll wish him well, but for us and for him, it's the perfect move really."

Julien Stephan has two big QPR transfer priorities following Sam Field exit

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As Moir alluded to, Field's move to Norwich provides Stephan with more scope and more reason to bolster his midfield options ahead of next season.

Meanwhile, QPR have allowed goalkeepers Paul Nardi and Ben Hamer to leave Loftus Road, having called upon both of them between the sticks last term.

Stephan is capable of leading the R's to a better season next term, but he must first acquire midfielders and goalkeepers who can consistently perform in the Championship.

If Stephan has all of his attackers fit, such as Rumarn Burrell, Ilias Chair, Richard Kone, Kwame Poku and Kader Dembele, then there's plenty of goals within that group - but the engine room behind it also needs to be solid.