QPR eye Arsenal transfer raid after Illan Meslier news | OneFootball

QPR are reportedly eyeing a move for an Arsenal talent ahead of the 2026/27 season, which is a move that could be triggered by a recent transfer deal.

QPR will be looking for much-needed improvement heading into the 2026/27 Championship season, after a disappointing second-half of the campaign last term.

The Hoops finished 15th in the second-tier standings, and will be eager to make a fast start to the new campaign, which is set to get underway in August.

It'll be QPR's 12th consecutive year in the Championship, and the club's supporters will be hoping that their side can make an overdue return to the Premier League at the earliest of opportunities.

They're set for an interesting summer ahead, and it'll be interesting to see which players potentially arrive at QPR ahead of the new season.

It's likely to be a case of the sooner, the better with potential incomings, as they can then have a full pre-season under their belt, which won't mean they're behind the rest of the QPR squad.

QPR plot Arsenal transfer raid of Tommy Setford

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The goalkeeping department is seemingly an area that QPR are keen to strengthen at the earliest of opportunities, with Arsenal youngster, Tommy Setford being a target for the Hoops, according to journalist, Darren Witcoop.

Setford is set to be pushed further down the immediate pecking order at Arsenal, with former Leeds United goalkeeper, Illan Meslier, set to join the Gunners on a free transfer after his deal at Elland Road reached a conclusion earlier this summer.

Setford has been with Arsenal since 2024, having previously been on the books with Dutch giants, Ajax as a youngster earlier in his career.

The goalkeeper has made two senior appearances for Arsenal, with his debut coming against Preston North End in the Carabao Cup, where he kept a clean sheet in a convincing 3-0 win against the Championship side.

Setford is contracted with Arsenal until the summer of 2028, and he'll be eager to make a name for himself, as he's yet to be loaned out in his career to date.

Pierce Charles on QPR's radar

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It's also claimed by Witcoop that Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper, Pierce Charles is also being considered as a potential transfer target for the Hoops.

Charles has caught the eye with Sheffield Wednesday in the 2025/26 season, making 21 appearances in a breakthrough year in the EFL, which seemingly hasn't gone unnoticed.

The shot-stopper is set to sign for Manchester City, who will then look at loaning him out ahead of the 2026/27 campaign. The youngster's future remains up in the air in terms of the short-term, but he's likely to have plenty of potential suitors in the coming months.

It remains to be seen as to which goalkeeper is top of QPR's wishlist, but Charles and Setford will both be eager to continue to make a name for themselves in senior football, and QPR could be the ideal destination for them to further their development.

QPR are set to get their 2026/27 season underway against Millwall in the Carabao Cup, before turning their attentions to their first league game of the campaign, which takes place on 15th August, 2026.