QPR snub Preston transfer approach for League One-bound player | OneFootball

Kieran Morgan is set to be the latest departure from the West London side

Queens Park Rangers have reportedly dismissed a transfer approach from Championship rivals, Preston North End for the services of Kieran Morgan, who is set to drop into League One on a loan basis instead.

That is according to West London Sport, with the 20-year-old midfielder currently not deemed part of Julien Stephan's plans at Loftus Road as the Frenchman looks to improve the capital side's fortunes during his second season in charge.

Rangers finished 15th in last season's Championship as their form took a massive dip in the second half of the campaign, but so far this season, have shown promising signs when it comes to their progress in a short period of time.

Stephan's side have enjoyed two victories on their travels against Portsmouth and Blackburn Rovers respectively, whilst their only home match of the league season so far was a goalless draw against newly-promoted Bolton Wanderers.

Throughout the summer transfer window, which closes for business on Tuesday evening at 11PM despite a full midweek programme of Championship fixtures, the Hoops have already recruited six new signings whilst moving on a further 10 on permanent or loan deals, with the aforementioned Morgan set to be an 11th in the latter count after late interest.

Bradford City set to beat Preston North End to Queens Park Rangers, Kieran Morgan agreement

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Morgan, 20, is a product of the Tottenham Hotspur academy setup, having featured over 25 times for the Premier League side's Under-18 age group before being released.

He was eventually signed by QPR in the summer of 2024 on a free transfer, and has since gone on to make 61 appearances in all competitions, scoring three times and providing as many assists in the process.

However, the midfielder has not featured at all under Stephan so far this season, and it was reported last week that he was set to join League One side, Bradford City, on a season-long loan, with the Bantams making another solid start to their own campaign after losing to Bolton in last season's play-off semi-finals.

And whilst that still appears to be the case ahead of Tuesday's deadline, it has now been revealed that Preston have seen a move for a potential permanent deal snubbed by their divisional rivals.

North End's summer has been one of immensely mixed fortunes, as the club broke their transfer record in July for the permanent signing of Alfie Devine, but are still winless from their first three games, with sections of their support calling for Paul Heckingbottom to be sacked after Saturday's 1-0 loss at Charlton Athletic.

Bradford City move aligns with Julien Stephan's previous Kieran Morgan assessment

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Morgan has shown plenty of promise during his time at Loftus Road so far, and with Stephan having a strong track record of developing young talents in France, there is plenty of excitement as to what the rest of his career could hold.

However, a season-long spell at Valley Parade does align with the 45-year-old's previous comments on the England youth international.

“Kieran is fantastic in terms of mentality and we trust in him a lot for the future – for now, but for the future as well because he has all the abilities to have a great career," the Rangers boss said last December.

Kieran Morgan can learn from experienced figures at Bradford City

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Whilst it will come as a blow for Preston that Heckingbottom could not add further depth to his midfield, it perhaps isn't the greatest of surprises that Rangers do not want to sell such a highly-rated talent to a Championship rival.

As such, whilst the club's current midfield depth has narrowed Morgan's chances of featuring regularly in the second tier, he will be able to learn from experienced figures in West Yorkshire.

Although Bradford are also rather stacked in midfield, the likes of Nick Powell and Antoni Sarcevic are two of League One's most seasoned professionals, with the latter also playing plenty of football in the Championship, a feat which Morgan will hope he follows in the coming years after a period without regular minutes.