QPR and Sunderland target in the Premier League wanted by Stoke City
QPR and Sunderland target Ishe Samuels-Smith at Chelsea has emerged on the radar of Stoke City, according to Football.London.
QPR are said to be keen on landing the youngster this summer, according to TEAMtalk. Middlesbrough and Rangers have also been mentioned as potential suitors.
Samuels-Smith, 19, was snapped up by Chelsea back in 2023. Prior to his move to London, he played for Everton.
In this latest update regarding his situation, Football.London claim Stoke City are the latest team to show an interest. The Potters are preparing for their first full season under the guidance of Mark Robins.
Samuels-Smith has trained with the first-team at Stamford Bridge in the past. He said in an interview last year: “Playing with experienced team-mates will definitely help me progress. They bring a lot of knowledge from their time in professional football. Facing different playing styles requires adaptability. It’s important to stay focused and learn from others on and off the pitch.
“Having experience across the road [with the seniors at our Cobham training ground] has extended my understanding and desire to continue pushing for more. I’m looking forward to the game and I’m confident we’ll see a positive result that reflects the hard work we’ve put into training this week.”
QPR latest regarding Ishe Samuels-Smith
QPR will need to see off competition from Stoke City and others to secure Samuels-Smith’s signature. The Hoops have cut ties with left-back Kenneth Paal recently but have handed Ziyad Larkeche a new deal.
Samuels-Smith rose up through the academy at Everton and was a regular for the Toffees at various different youth levels. Despite getting on the bench under both Frank Lampard and Sean Dyche, he didn’t manage to get on.
Chelsea then came calling and snapped him up to bolster their defensive department. He penned a long-term deal with the top flight giants but is still waiting on his senior debut.
What now for QPR?
QPR finished mid-table in the last campaign. They will be hoping to compete higher up the league next time around.
The Hoops have signed Kwame Poku from Peterborough United in an eye-catching deal. That transfer was a statement of intent.
Julien Stephan is the new manager of the R’s and has had spells in the past at Strasbourg and Rennes. He was picked as their replacement for Marti Cifuentes, who left in late April.
Time will tell whether QPR end up moving for Samuels-Smith. Stoke City have become the latest team to be named as an interested party along with the likes of Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Rangers.
Championship rivals Middlesbrough and Stoke City are two of four sides targeting the Chelsea Under-21s captain for a loan deal in the summer transfer window.
With the summer transfer window in full swing, business has been rife within the second tier so far as clubs prepare for the 2025/26 Championship campaign.
