"A Chris Willock replacement" - QPR told to seal €500k deal for 10-assist ex-Stoke City winger | OneFootball

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…

The R's looked destined to be relegated after a poor start to the season under Gareth Ainsworth, but a significant upturn in form after the arrival of Marti Cifuentes in late October saw them achieve survival.

It seems that preparations are already underway for a summer rebuild, and Beerschot winger Thibaud Verlinden is one player on their radar, according to a report from Belgian outlet Gazet van Antwerpen.

Verlinden joined Beerschot from DAC Dunajska Streda of Slovakia in the summer of 2022, and he has enjoyed an excellent season as his side won promotion to the Belgian top flight.

Verlinden is no stranger to English football having previously played for Stoke City, as well as having a loan spell with Bolton Wanderers, and Beerschot could reportedly be willing to sell him for €500,000 (£427,000) this summer.

However, the Hoops would face competition for his signature, with German side Schalke and Belgian outfit Union Saint-Gilloise also said to be keen.

QPR fan pundit on Thibaud Verlinden links

FLW's QPR fan pundit Louis Moir says that the club need to strengthen in the wide areas this summer, and he believes Verlinden could be an exciting signing.

"Verlinden could be an exciting one," Louis said.

"I do recall him when he was at Stoke, he did go on loan to Bolton as well, I think he did okay there.

"Obviously he was very young at the time, and probably didn't mature enough, hence why he left.

"He's played for a couple of clubs since, and he seems to have really found his feet now out in Belgium. "He's done really well, and he's a signing that excites me because I want these sort of players coming in now. "It's been years since we've done recruitment the right way, and under the new CEO and manager, I think the recruitment could be really, really exciting and we're doing things differently now. "Verlinden could be a player that fits the model that we're looking at in terms of a more stat-based, analytical background, and if he ticks boxes and the manager would be happy with him, I'd welcome any signing now really, I think it's really going to be an exciting time. "Obviously we're probably going to need a Chris Willock replacement if he goes, Ilias Chair, we don't know what's going to happen with him, so we're going to be needing more attacking players. "I think we lack wingers really as well, we've got Paul Smyth, but he's not really good enough to start, hence why he's an impact sub. "I think wingers could be on the agenda, and Verlinden could be an option.

"Hopefully he's the first of many players we're linked with from different leagues around Europe because it's quite an exciting one, many clubs have done it before and it could really work out, so I'm hoping it's true."

Thibaud Verlinden could be a gamble worth taking for QPR

Strengthening in the wide areas could be a priority for the R's this summer, with Chris Willock looking likely to depart at the end of his contract, and uncertainty over Ilias Chair's situation.

It would be tough for the Hoops to replace two players of such quality, but after a strong season for Beerschot, Verlinden could be the solution.

Verlinden found it difficult during his previous spell in English football with Stoke, but he has improved significantly in recent years, and he could be ready to perform in the Championship.

The 24-year-old would undoubtedly be a risky signing for the Hoops, but he is a player with a lot of potential, and he could prove to be a shrewd addition.