QPR backed over imminent Coventry City transfer 'gamble' - he could help solve 'nightmare' situation | OneFootball

Queens Park Rangers have been backed to sign young Coventry City striker Justin Obikwu.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Under the management of former Stade Rennais boss Julien Stephan, Queens Park Rangers have been one of the most entertaining teams to watch in the Championship this season.

The Hoops’ 27 matches in the second division so far this season have consisted of 77 goals as they sit tucked inside the top-half of the table and just four points outside of the top six and the play-off places.

Goals have begun to dry up of late, though, as shown by their most recent outing, a goalless draw with Stoke City at the Bet365 Stadium. That result meaning that they have only scored more than a solitary goal on just two occasions in their last eight matches across all competitions.

A desire for reinforcements in the final third is therefore there at Loftus Road and the R’s have been linked with a move for Justin Obikwu before the close of the transfer window, with Obikwu having been recalled by Coventry City from his loan stint at Lincoln City amid reports that QPR have agreed a deal.

QPR backed over decision to raid Coventry City for Justin Obikwu

Justin Obikwu came through the academy at Harefield United before moving to nearby Coventry City and turning professional with the Sky Blues in 2023.

Since signing that first ever professional contract, Obikwu has spent time out on loan with two stints in League Two at Grimsby Town, the second of which being so promising with seven goals in 19 appearances that he earned a move to League One with Lincoln City.

The Trinidad and Tobago international attacker has contributed to the Imps’ automatic promotion push in the third tier, but still remains a raw talent.

Obikwu is raw talent, though, that FLW’s QPR fan pundit Louis Moir believes would be a worthwhile addition to the squad.

“Obviously, looking at this signing, just the pure numbers and stats, he may not stand out in that respect," Louis told FLW.

“I’ve personally never heard of him but I hadn’t heard of Rumarn Burrell either and he is a similar type of signing. The goal scoring record isn’t quite similar to Burrell’s but, despite all that, he’s young, he’s quick, he’s tall, he seems to have pace and strength and he’s at an age where he can really develop.

“We’ve needed another body up-front for the last few weeks really. It’s been a bit of a nightmare with Burrell getting injured and (Richard) Kone being off form.

“(Michael) Frey looks like he’s going and (Rayan) Kolli still having to prove that he’s consistent and can stay fit.

“If we get Justin Obikwu then it’s another body up-front, it’s another option and it’s one where you could class it as a bit of a gamble but for the money we’re seemingly spending on him, it could work out really well.

“Kone’s never played in the Championship, Rumarn Burrell’s never played in the Championship before this season and this bloke could really develop under us and kick on and become a presence up there.

“I think it could be a really smart signing, not just now but for a few years’ time; he could really develop into a handful for Championship defenders.”

Soccer Football - Championship - Huddersfield Town v Queens Park Rangers - John Smith's Stadium, Huddersfield, Britain - April 15, 2022 Huddersfield Town fans Action Images/Craig Brough EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.

While in France, mainly with his work at Stade Rennais, Julien Stephan gained a reputation for being a coach that nurtured and developed young talent exceptionally well with current Barcelona star Raphinha an excellent example of his work.

QPR perhaps boast the best collection of young talent to be harnessed in the Championship with plenty of youthful signings with vast EFL experience bulking up their squad, such as both Burrell and Kone, as well as former Peterborough United man Kwame Poku.

Both Burrell and Poku are out injured though, with the latter struggling all season with hamstring issues, and with Michael Frey also set to be on the way out of Loftus Road at some point this month, the R's are especially short in the centre-forward position - especially as for the most part, a two-striker system has been utilised.

Rayan Kolli is of course another option that has come back into contention, and Alfie Lloyd has been recalled from a stint at Leyton Orient - he's not someone that you'd probably want to be relying on though given his lack of experience and goals, so a move for Obikwu - who definitely has raw potential to develop - makes a ton of sense, whilst giving him small amounts of game-time for the next few months.