Winners and losers from a Charlie Kelman to Charlton Athletic transfer as QPR set to lose 27-goal ace

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Charlton Athletic are ‘closing in on’ a surprising transfer deal for Queens Park Rangers striker Charlie Kelman, who spent last season on loan at Leyton Orient.

Last season, QPR finished 15th in the Championship after flirting with relegation to League One under Marti Cifuentes.

QPR placed Cifuentes on gardening leave towards the end of the campaign, and after the now-Leicester City boss’ exit was confirmed, Cifuentes sent an emotional farewell to QPR.

Earlier this summer, QPR appointed Julien Stephan to replace the Spaniard, and the R’s have completed some impressive recruitment ahead of the Frenchman’s maiden campaign, namely with QPR signing Kwame Poku ahead of several suitors.

In a move that taints the impressive summer business by QPR, newly promoted Charlton Athletic are reportedly “closing in on a deal” for Charlie Kelman, according to reporter Richard Cawley on X.

Here, EFL Analysis outlines the winners and losers in the deal.

• READ MORE: QPR and Charlton Athletic offered ‘good deal’ for Roma ace who’s destined to return to England

Winners from Charlie Kelman joining Charlton Athletic from QPR

Charlton Athletic and Nathan Jones

With Charlton targeting Kelman, the obvious winners within the deal are the Addicks and head coach Nathan Jones.

Charlton won promotion to the Championship last season, and in our early 2025/26 Championship predictions, they have been tipped to struggle for survival next term. However, those prospects will change significantly with the signing of Kelman.

The 23-year-old notched 27 goals and registered 6 assists in 61 games in all competitions on loan at Leyton Orient last season, with Kelman’s final appearance coming in Charlton’s 1-0 over Orient in the League One play-off final.

Therefore, Jones is well aware of the calibre of player Kelman is, and will be overjoyed to work with the centre-forward next season.

Rayan Kolli

Kelman’s impending switch offers QPR striker Rayan Kolli a chance to make the R’s number nine role his own.

Cifuentes’ chance of a Kolli reunion at Leicester are slim this summer, as EFL Analysis’ Chief Football correspondent, Graeme Bailey, revealed: “QPR like him. They’re rating him really high.

“I think it’d be very, very difficult for Leicester to get him out.”

After the 20-year-old scored four goals from just nine starts last season, Kolli will be hoping Kelman’s exit can offer him more minutes next season, to force his way into starting contention under Stephan.

• READ MORE: Richie Wellens has already fired a clear warning to Charlton Athletic over incoming Charlie Kelman

Losers from QPR selling Charlie Kelman to Charlton Athletic

QPR and Julien Stephan

On the surface, it’s unfathomable why QPR and Stephan deem Kelman surplus to requirements, after his prolific campaign in front of goal on loan at Orient.

QPR would be foolish to sell Kelman this summer, with his goalscoring form primed to send the R’s into a play-off place, alongside the impressive attacking talent already at Loftus Road.

Kelman is a hidden gem set to explode in the Championship, and considering that QPR are tipped for a “very fun season”, it’s perplexing why the 27-goal striker is not part of Stephan’s plans.

Leyton Orient boss Richie Wellens and Luton Town

Although a return to Leyton Orient was never likely for Kelman next season, the move to Charlton will undoubtedly be a hard pill to swallow for Richie Wellens.

Last season, Wellens told the Lancashire Telegraph on Kelman: ” I have said it many times, I love him to bits. There is an unbelievable talent in there.”

With Kelman potentially moving to the side that beat Wellens in the play-off final, who secured promotion at the expense of Leyton Orient, it will bring that stinging feeling of defeat back to the surface.

Aside from Wellens, Luton Town also submitted an offer for Kelman, but his desire to remain in the Championship has seen Matt Bloomfield’s side miss out on signing a striker who could have fired the Hatters to instant promotion.

If Kelman’s move from QPR to Charlton does materialise, then the Addicks will complete one of the biggest coups of the summer transfer window and drastically increase their chances of survival.