QPR fans are perplexed by ‘bizarre’ Rumarn Burrell signing, ‘double standards’ claim made

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You’d think QPR fans would be excited to land a new striker this summer, but the arrival of Rumarn Burrell has been met with some confusion among the supporters.

It’s all change at QPR ahead of the new season, with Marti Cifuentes moving on and Julien Stephan coming in as manager.

While Stephan is tipped for success in the Championship, and Jimmy Dunne signing a new deal is a real boost, there are still some concerns.

We backed QPR to be a surprise package in our Championship preview for 2025/26, but we may be rethinking that after their latest bit of business in the transfer market.

• READ MORE: Julien Stephan releases first statement after being appointed as new QPR manager, fans will be excited

Charlie Kelman out, Rumarn Burrell in for QPR

Coming out of the blue, QPR announced on Saturday night that they had signed Jamaican striker Rumarn Burrell from Burton Albion.

The move coincides with QPR selling Charlie Kelman to Charlton Athletic; a double deal which has raised a few eyebrows.

Taking to Twitter/X to share their thoughts, QPR fans were clearly confused as to why the club had sold a 27-goal striker and replaced him with Burrell.

One said: “This is a bizarre one! The bloke was playing for Cove Rangers two years ago! We’re doing lots of good things at the club but our striker recruitment continues to be baffling.”

Another wrote: “I’m sorry, this is not against him, but we are spending money on him when we had our own player who scored 20+ goals in League One last year – who we are now selling to a rival – and we need a striker – I don’t get it.”

That same sentiment was shared widely, with one fan adding: “So let me get this straight, we’ve let a bloke go who got 21 in that league last season to sign a bloke who got 11 in the same league?”

Making the inevitable comparison to Kelman, one supporter said: “Will give him a chance but Kelman got pelters for having no Championship form or experience. A bit of double standards going on here.”

However, one fan was on board with the latest transfers, writing: “Sold a player who didn’t want to stick around, one year before his contract expired, and replaced him with another for a quarter of the price, who is well liked by Burton fans for being quick and hard working. This is exactly the type of business this club should be doing.”

• READ MORE: Marti Cifuentes’ chances of securing QPR reunion at Leicester City for ‘talented’ youngster revealed

Latest QPR move is a big risk

We’ve been saying for a while that selling Charlie Kelman is a mistake QPR may live to regret, and it’s certainly a big risk to replace him with Burrell.

Of course, Burrell is a decent player. Plymouth Argyle wanted him, but making the step up to the Championship is obviously a big pull for the player himself. Whether he’s capable of that jump remains to be seen, though.

Speaking as a QPR player for the first time, Burrell said: “It’s a great opportunity for me to showcase what I can do. It’s a step up, but I’m ready.

“My main strength is my speed, I can stretch teams. I’m a relentless person. With the head coach and his style of play, I feel it really suits me.”

Let’s see if he truly is ready, as he says. One thing’s for sure, the progress of Rumarn Burrell this season will be integral to QPR’s chances of success as a team.