West London club Queens Park Rangers are closing in on a deal to sign Reggae Boy, Kasey Palmer from English Championship rivals Bristol City with talks said to be advanced.
QPR has also confirmed a new loan deal for its Jamaica goalkeeper Dillon Barnes.
The Bristol Live website said it understood that there has been talk for some weeks over a permanent switch for 25-year-old midfielder Palmer, who has not featured in any of manager Nigel Pearson’s last seven match-day squads.
Pearson is keen to get the Reggae Boy off the club’s wage bill.
Palmer still has 18 months to run on his contract at City, having arrived in the summer of 2019 from Chelsea, and as one of the highest earners at the club, he, simply is not providing value for money, according to Bristol Live.
“A transfer fee would, of course, be preferable but such are the financial realities of a COVID-influenced transfer market. City may have to simply take what they can get,” the website said.
City last week announced record losses of £38.4 million (US$51.9 million) for the financial year ending 2021, including collective salaries of £35.3 million ($47.8 million), and although it made moves in the summer to reduce this, there is still a need for more reductions.
Reports are that QPR director of football Les Ferdinand is a huge admirer of Palmer and believes club boss Mark Warburton can turn him into one of the best No. 10s in the Championship and help cement their position inside the top six.
Bristol Live said the move would be agreeable for Palmer, who made his debut for the Reggae Boyz in a 4-1 defeat against the United States last year because he has received assurances over his place in the team.
A move would also allow him and his family to move back to London, having been born in Lewisham and spending his teenage years with Charlton Athletic and Chelsea.
He has failed to hold down a first-team spot under three City managers – Lee Johnson, Dean Holden and Pearson. “Although he has shown glimpses of his unique talent and creativity has consistently struggled to earn the trust of his head coaches to start enough games”, the website said.
Of his 68 Championship appearances for City, 38 have been as a replacement, scoring six goals and adding six assists. Under Pearson, he has seen his place as playmaker taken by teenagers Alex Scott and Ayman Benarous.
When asked recently about Palmer’s status at the club, Pearson said: “To be absolutely honest with you, discussing individuals like that, he’s not been included because other players have done more. Likewise, if he plays himself back into contention, then so be it, fine.”
Yeovil Town, who play in England’s fifth-tier National League, has meanwhile signed goalkeeper Barnes on a short-term loan from QPR.
The 25-year-old, who comes in as cover owing to Grant Smith’s two-match suspension, has previously had loan spells at Burton Albion, Colchester United and Scottish top-flight side Hibernian.
Barnes was called up to represent the Reggae Boyz for a pair of friendlies in June last year. The following month he was named in the squad for the CONCACAF Gold Cup and made his official debut as a Reggae Boy in Jamaica’s final group stage game against Costa Rica. (CMC)
