QPR are considering a move to sign Nottingham Forest central defender Steve Cook. The player is out of the picture at the City Ground and hasn’t taken part in Steve Cooper’s pre-season plans.
According to Darren Witcoop of Reach PLC, the experienced Forest performer is wanted by Gareth Ainsworth. He’s keen to strengthen his squad as QPR look to improve on a bleak second half of 2022/23.
Cook has been a brilliant signing for Forest. He was instrumental as the club reached the Premier League during the 2021/22 campaign, signing for the club from Bournemouth in January of that season.
Last season, he did start the campaign as a regular in the team. In January, however, Cooper signed Felipe from Atletico Madrid and that saw him omitted from the 25-man squad.
This summer, he’s returned to the club to do some pre-season work. However, he’s not been with the main group and has taken part in a few friendlies that Forest have participated in as a B-Team.
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Cook still has something to offer and he’s a proven performer in the Championship. At 32-years-old, he wouldn’t be a long-term option but his leadership qualities would still shine through.
QPR considering Forest defender Cook
This would be a quality signing for QPR and it’d be one that Forest would dearly like to complete too. Cook would enhance the survival chances of the Londoners, whilst the Reds would love to get some of his wages off the books.
Cook won’t be featuring under Cooper at Forest anymore. He has his central defensive options pretty much sorted and the club would dearly like to land another centre-back too.
Forest would dearly wish Cook well if he did depart. He was vital in the team that got promoted to the Premier League and furthermore, he never let anyone down when he played last season.
This is a move that makes a lot of sense. It’s one that suits all parties and hopefully, the Reds can see some movement on this one in the coming weeks.