Why QPR should prioritise new deals for Ryan Manning and Bright Osayi-Samuel
According to claims from reliable journalist Sean Gallagher, QPR are locked in contract talks with Ryan Manning and Bright Osayi-Samuel, with both the players approaching the end of their existing deals at Loftus Road.
QPR have made a bright start to the campaign under new manager Mark Warburton. The London outfit have emerged as one of the surprise playoff hopefuls in the Championship this term.
Warburton’s arrival at Loftus Road has certainly been a breath of fresh air, with QPR finding new first-team regulars in Bright Osayi-Samuel and Ryan Manning.
There have been quite a few standout performers for QPR so far and many of them have already made their way into the Team of the Week charts for the respective rounds.
While the likes of Nakhi Wells and Jordan Hugill have been a key contributor with goals up top, others like Ryan Manning and Eberechi Eze have also caught the eye with their consistent displays.
Manning, in particular, has enjoyed an unprecedented rise at Loftus Road this term, having benefitted largely from Warburton’s masterstroke to shift him to an unfamiliar left-back role.
The 23-year-old former Republic of Ireland youth international has established himself as one of the most creative players in his new role, playing every minute of QPR’s league campaign thus far.
The Irishman, who came through the door at Loftus Road from Galway United back in 2015, had found himself in and out of the first-team fold prior to the start of the ongoing campaign but he has really come into his own this term.
Manning’s impressive all-round performances at left-back attracting admiring glances from Premier League clubs Southampton and Newcastle, who are mulling over a move for the versatile star in January (h/t West London Sport)
To that end, QPR could struggle to fend off interest in Manning’s services when the transfer window reopens in January, given that his current contract expires in 2020, although the club has the option of exercising an option to extend his stay by a further twelve months.
However, with the Irishman currently working wonders at left-back under Warburton, it hardly takes a rocket scientist to figure out as to why QPR are keen to tie him down to fresh and improved terms in a bid to keep hold of him for the foreseeable future.
On the other hand, Bright Osayi-Samuel, who arrived at QPR from Blackpool back in 2017, has also enjoyed a lot of involvement in the starting eleven after finding himself in and out of the first-team at Loftus Road in the previous campaigns.
The 21-year-old Nigerian starlet has bagged a goal and an assist apiece in 7 league appearances, 6 of which have come as a starter. Early signs suggest that the jet-heeled winger could go on to fulfil his potential under the watchful eyes of Warburton, who has clearly given the youngster his vote of confidence.
Osayi-Samuel, however, is out of contract in 2020 and QPR are planning to keep him at the club beyond that, although negotiations over a new deal are yet to reach a positive end.
The 21-year-old is viewed as a player with potential and it won’t be a big surprise if the QPR decide to keep him on their books for the long-term.
Verdict
QPR have a strong core of bright young talents in their ranks at the moment and the likes of Ryan Manning and Bright Osayi-Samuel have certainly progressed by leaps and bounds under the stewardship of Warburton this term.
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The London outfit need to preserve their first-team mainstays in order to build a strong platform for the future and eventually aim to challenge for promotion back to the Premier League.
With that in mind, QPR should make it a priority to secure the long-term futures of both the players at the earliest, particularly Manning, who is the subject of interest from the Premier League clubs.