MLS club enter transfer race for QPR star Charlie Kelman | OneFootball

QPR's Charlie Kelman is a wanted man this summer

Charlotte FC are the latest club to show interest in Queens Park Rangers striker Charlie Kelman and they have already had an offer rejected, according to reports.

Goals haven't flown for Kelman, 23, in blue and white since he arrived at Loftus Road from Southend United in October 2020. His opportunities to play for QPR have been limited, and therefore didn't allow him to express his profound ability in front of goal that he showed on loan with Leyton Orient last season.

His 21 goals in the regular League One season - including two in the play-offs to take his total tally across all competitions to 27 - helped turn Richie Wellens' side from potential relegation candidates into play-off finalists, and now everyone is well aware of just how good Kelman is in front of goal.

QPR were in the luxurious position of knowing that the former United States youth international forward was going to return to their patch in the capital, but that offers no guarantee of him sticking around long-term.

QPR's Charlie Kelman subject of rejected Charlotte FC bid

His goalscoring exploits have caught the attention of many, and West Bromwich Albion were linked with a move before signing Aune Heggebo from Norweigan side Brann in a reported £4.75 million deal.

They've also forced the R's to defend their position on Kelman. According to Fabrizio Romano, they have turned down a bid from Charlotte FC for the 23-year-old. Their pursuit of the centre-forward remains despite this setback.

The South Carolina club view Kelman as a potential replacement for Patrick Agyemang, according to the Italian journalist, who they sold to the Hoops' second-tier rivals Derby County for a club-record fee, reported to be around £7.5 million.

The QPR player has featured twice under new boss Julien Stephan in the club's opening pair of pre-season matches. He played from the start in the opening fixture against Stevenage but played a more reduced role on Friday versus Toulouse.

Charlie Kelman may not see his future being with QPR

They've struggled to find a consistent talisman in recent seasons, so, logically, it wouldn't make sense for them to part ways with a player that has just netted 20+ times in a league campaign.

Kelman's feelings on the situation may be different though.

Football is a cut-throat business where niceties aren't often present. The 23-year-old hadn't done much to impress his parent club prior to his loan move to Orient last summer, but now that he's found some form, all of a sudden they want him to feature prominently for them.

That makes total sense from the club's point of view. Why wouldn't they want to potentially capitalise on things finally clicking for him? Kelman, however, could feel like a new start, like the one he had with the O's, would be best for him.

Indeed, Kelman's international allegiances could also play a part, with the striker having formerly represented the United States at youth level.

He's yet to earn a senior cap but will surely be wanting to change that in time for next summer's FIFA 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted in the United States alongside Canada and Mexico - and a move to Dean Smith's side could put him firmly on Mauricio Pochettino's radar.