QPR have struck gold by beating clubs to ex-Celtic wonderkid: View | OneFootball

Plenty of sides were interested, but the Hoops look like they've hit the jackpot by signing Karamoko Dembele

In what was an exciting summer for Queens Park Rangers, the deal to bring Karamoko Dembele to Loftus Road has to be up there as one of the club's best pieces of business in 2024.

Dembele has settled into life in west London very well providing two assists in just four appearances, and alongside Ilias Chair when he returns from injury, the 21-year-old may help Marti Cifuentes' side with their creative spark.

Joining the R's on a season-long loan from Stade Brestois in August, the 21-year-old was reportedly sought after this summer by the likes of Birmingham City and Derby County, among others.

It was QPR who won the race though, and within the deal with the French club for Dembele, there is an option to buy, which is sure to have fans salivating already at the prospect of the left-footed dynamo being a full-time Hooops player.

QPR did well to fight off the competition for his signature and, so far, he is proving why there was such a high demand for his services.

QPR struck gold by beating other clubs to Karamoko Dembele deal

So far, Dembele has looked like a class act for QPR, has carried on with his form after a successful loan spell at Blackpool in League One last season.

The winger/attacking midfielder was involved in 23 goals in all competitions with the Tangerines, and showed to be a level above the third tier of English football.

Dembele has shown serious signs of the potential that was expected of him when he was a youngster at Celtic, where he made his debut at just 16 years of age with the Scottish giants, and five years on, the Parkhead outfit may be regretting not trying harder to keep hold of the playmaker.

His move to Brest in 2022 on a free transfer hasn't quite come off as Dembele would have expected, but QPR won't be looking to let him go back to his parent club in a hurry.

Judging by the reported interest in the youngster this summer, QPR will be glad they have the option to make Dembele one of their own, as he's proven to be comfortable at Championship level thus far, possessing qualities that Cifuentes admires.

The QPR boss praised the quick-footed winger alongside other new addition Koki Saito, after Rangers' 2-2 draw at Sheffield United.

Speaking to West London Sport, Cifuentes said: "I think him (Saito) and Kara had a good influence in the game despite them playing more minutes than was the plan."

"Kara was very good in the minutes he was on the pitch. He showed excellent things.

"I’m very satisfied with both of them. They are very good players and will hopefully help us a lot."

Help is certainly what Dembele has provided to that right side, something Rangers were missing last season, as the R's were the fourth-lowest scoring Championship team in the 2023/24 campaign.

His creativity is proving a joy to behold for the Rangers faithful, and the prospect of him linking up with the aforementioned Chair in the final third is something worth pondering over when the Morocco international is fit again.

QPR should be praised for negotiating Karamoko Dembele option to buy

The 21-year-old fits like a glove in Cifuentes' system - he's explosive when he’s got the ball at his feet and has a brilliant touch, which is a nightmare for many Championship full-backs.

Dembele has also created the third-most chances in the Championship so far this season, which is creating the service for the likes of Zan Celar and Michael Frey at the top end of the pitch.

As good as Dembele has been, the deal to bring him to Loftus Road should really be hailed by Rangers' recruitment team.

Many expected Dembele to move on from Brest permanently this summer, so for the R's to essentially get a try before you buy deal for the youngster is testament to the business done by CEO Christian Nourry.