QPR eyeing up Middlesbrough and Burnley starlets

QPR are prioritising the fight for Championship survival over the final weeks of the season. However, the academy setup has been taking a more long-term view to plan for potential additions over the summer. It’s around this time of year when clubs are making decisions over who stays and who departs the youth ranks. That frees up room for teams to bring trialists in, with clubs allowing their departing talents the chance to catch the eye and earn deals elsewhere. The Rs have being fielding plenty of trialists in their development squad starting XIs in recent weeks. Now, two more have been started ahead of the clash with Crewe Alexandra’s U21s. Listed as trialists for the Tuesday tie are George Grant and Rohan Vaughan. — QPR Academy (@QPRAcademy) April 9, 2024 Grant is an 18-year-old defender currently on the books with Championship rivals Middlesbrough. Vaughan, also 18, plies his trade as an attacker for Premier League side Burnley. QPR are a club that has found plenty of joy in recruiting young players before. They’ve seen a handful come through their ranks and go onto bigger things after making their breakthroughs at Loftus Road. Eberechi Eze is the headline name of recent years. He was signed at 18 following spells in Arsenal, Fulham, Reading and Millwall’s academies and has gone on to play for England since. Image courtesy of: LEE SMITH/REUTERS. The Rs will be hopeful of repeating a similar trick this summer by recruiting some new prospects following their exits from rival academies. Time will tell if anything comes of trials for Grant and Vaughan but with QPR taking the chance to cast a close eye over both players, they’ll be determined to impress the coaching staff in West London. Burnley Championship George Grant Middlesbrough QPR Rohan Vaughan Transfers