QPR are dark horses for a play-off place in 2025/26 Championship after ‘excellent’ signing and key decisions

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Queens Park Rangers have been quietly cementing themselves as outside shots for a top-six finish next season thanks to their stellar summer transfer window.

QPR have appointed Julien Stephan to spearhead the club’s 2025/26 Championship campaign, and he will be hoping to end QPR’s 10-year top flight absence in his debut season in charge at Loftus Road.

Stephan’s predecessor, Marti Cifuentes was put on gardening leave by QPR, and after his exit was officially confirmed, Cifuentes shared an emotional QPR farewell.

After QPR targeted Stephan to replace the Spaniard, the former Rennes boss was unveiled this week, and shared his exciting first statement as QPR boss.

With the uncertainty in the dugout over, and QPR’s latest summer signing adding to some already impressive business, the R’s are now definite dark horses for a top-six finish next season.

• READ MORE: QPR enter the race for out-of-contract League One star, they face an anxious wait amid European interest

QPR are dark horses for 2025/26 Championship after Kwame Poku signing

QPR have made an excellent start to their summer transfer window business, which has culminated with the signing of Peterborough United starlet Kwame Poku.

It was revealed earlier this week that three clubs agreed deals for Poku, including QPR’s second tier rivals Swansea City and an “unnamed” club.

Days later, football journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed that QPR have won the race to sign Poku, in a massive coup for the R’s.

Romano said on X: “Kwame Poku has signed in as new Queens Park Rangers player right now. All sealed. Deal 100% done. Excellent addition for QPR.”

With a play-off place in the QPR crosshairs in next season’s Championship, after last term’s 15th-placed finish, confirming Poku’s signature will help propel the R’s towards the top-six.

QPR have sent a massive statement to their second tier rivals, by beating competition from Rangers to secure the winger’s services, after the Ghanaian youngster scored 12 goals and notched eight assists in just 27 League One appearances for Peterborough last season.

Via the Peterborough Telegraph, Posh boss Darren Ferguson said of Poku: “Kwame is just unplayable at the moment. I would hate to play against him, he’s just so good. He deserves all the plaudits and all the credit.”

Aside from the new arrival of Poku, QPR have also brought in fresh faces in the form of right-back Kealey Anderson and centre-back Amadou Mbengue, but their most impressive summer business revolves around a familiar face.

• READ MORE: QPR chief provides five key reasons why Rangers signed Reading ace Amadou Mbengue

Keeping Jimmy Dunne could be QPR’s best summer signing

After an outstanding season in the heart of QPR’s defence, Jimmy Dunne initially snubbed a new contract at the R’s, and was poised to become a Championship free agent.

In January, Sheffield United tried to sign Dunne, but failed on that occasion. This summer, Sheffield United were close to signing Dunne, but the versatile defender has penned a new deal at Loftus Road ahead of next season.

QPR fans were elated with Dunne’s decision, given how pivotal he has been for the R’s, and his versatility in multiple defensive roles.

As well as with the Dunne news, QPR fans welcomed Stephan and have been receptive to his exciting appointment.

Signing one of the EFL’s biggest rising talents in Poku, while keeping one of the Championship’s best defenders at the club, to coincide with Stephan’s arrival, are all factors that point towards QPR becoming dark horses for a top-six finish next season.

However, it will be a difficult task for Stephan and the R’s squad, as we expect next season could be the best Championship season yet.