Hughes stepping up bid for Irish winger
QPR boss Mark Hughes has put winger Damien Duff at the top of his shopping list as he prepares to raid former club Fulham during the transfer window.
Hughes is desperate to add an experienced attacker to his side after they drew a blank against Newcastle on Sunday in his first game in charge. The R’s chief was unhappy with his side’s performance in front of goal at Newcastle on Sunday and believes he needs to add more creativity out wide and has identified the 32-year-old as the man to provide that.
The Republic of Ireland international has struggled to force his way into Martin Jol’s first eleven at Craven Cottage this season making just 12 Premier League starts. Duff’s first team chances have been limited by the form of summer signing Bryan Ruiz and rumours are persisting that he is mulling over whether to leave the Cottagers.
Finding an out-and-out left winger proved to be a problem for his predecessor Neil Warnock with Shaun Wright-Phillips usually tasked with filling in despite being right footed. Hughes managed Duff during his year as manager on the Thames and knows exactly that the former Blackburn, Chelsea and Newcastle man will bring to Loftus Road.
With Rangers rooted in the relegation zone owner Tony Fernandes prepared to spend to ensure the club remains in the top flight beyond the current campaign. It’s thought a fee of around £3 million would be enough to persuade Fulham to sell with Jol keen to trim the wage bill especially was Duff earns a reported £60,000-a-week.
