John Eustace suffers transfer blow as QPR ‘set to sign’ Derby County target after matching Rams bid

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Derby County looked poised to sign an in-demand attacking talent, but Championship rivals QPR now lead the race.

Derby County face Bristol City this weekend as John Eustace searches for the Rams’ first points of the 2025/26 Championship season.

Defeats to Stoke City and Coventry City have left Derby in the relegation zone during the opening exchanges of the campaign.

After making a plethora of impressive signings this summer, the early season form exhibited by the Rams is both surprising and disappointing for the Pride Park faithful.

Off the field, Derby are set for further woes, with reports emerging that a key transfer target has snubbed them in favour of a move to Championship rivals QPR.

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QPR set to sign Koki Saito after matching Derby County’s bid

Derby have been dealt a monumental transfer blow in the race to sign Japanese midfielder Koki Saito ahead of deadline day.

Reports emerged last week that Derby led the race to sign Saito from Belgian outfit Lommel ahead of Birmingham City and QPR.

On Thursday, EFL Analysis exclusively revealed in a Derby triple swoop transfer update, that the Rams had a high level of confidence in signing Saito as well as Blackburn Rovers captain Lewis Travis, but were less confident regarding Max Johnston.

In typical transfer window style, deals can change in an instant and since those reports, it has emerged that QPR are poised to beat Derby for Saito’s signature.

Telegraph reporter Mike McGrath posted on X: “QPR have matched Derby’s bid for Japanese midfielder Koki Saito, which has met Lommel’s valuation. QPR set to sign the 24yo this weekend.”

Transfermarkt report Saito’s value to be in the region of £3.5m, but it remains to be seen what the exact fee QPR have stumped up to re-sign Saito ahead of Derby.

Winger Saito scored three goals and registered three assists in 39 Championship games on loan at QPR last term, and now is poised to make a return to Loftus Road permanently.

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John Eustace misses out on signing ‘good player’ Koki Saito

Eustace was well aware of the attacking qualities Saito possesses after the Japanese winger scored against Derby in a 4-0 win at Loftus Road, which incidentally was Eustace’s first game in charge of the Rams back in February.

Ahead of the clash against Bristol City, Eustace responded to a question regarding Derby’s move for “good” Saito.

When asked about Derby’s links to Saito, Eustace told BBC Radio Derby: “I think he’s a player that everyone has been looking at.

“We’ve been linked with a number of players and obviously it’s great to be linked with all the good players in the Championship, and he’s no different.”

After the heavy defeat to Coventry, Eustace admitted to the Derbyshire Telegraph that Derby need to strengthen “in wide areas”, and Saito would have been the ideal candidate given his ability to operate well on both flanks and as a number ten.

Unfortunately for Eustace, the Rams will have to witness long-standing target Saito star for league rivals QPR this season instead.