Sinclair Armstrong’s future at QPR is uncertain.
Despite the West Londoners triggering a contract extension that ties him down until the end of next season, the youngster is continuing to attract interest from several Premier League clubs, and a sale this summer is not out of the question.
Armstrong has shown glimpses of his ability under Marti Cifuentes, producing six goals and assists in 39 Championship appearances as QPR escaped relegation with a game to spare last season.
The 20-year-old’s uncertain future has left QPR looking to bolster their options up front, and Ipswich Town’s Ali Al-Hamadi could provide the perfect short-term solution.
Al-Hamadi only signed for the Tractor Boys from AFC Wimbledon in January but started just one game as Kieran McKenna’s side achieved promotion back to the Premier League for the first time since 2002.
Despite limited minutes, Al-Hamadi proved a useful asset for Ipswich, netting four times in just 14 appearances, and it feels as though he could make a real impact back in the Championship.
The 22-year-old won’t be short of suitors should he decide to leave Ipswich on loan next season, and newly promoted Oxford United are said to be eyeing up a move for the Iraq international.
QPR are in desperate need of a striker given Lyndon Dykes’s injury and increased interest in Armstrong, and Al-Hamadi would provide an interesting short-term solution for the R’s as they look to add goals to their team.
Al-Hamadi the perfect match for Armstrong
Al-Hamadi’s reputation has grown exponentially in the last year.
Since signing for AFC Wimbledon in January 2023, he has proven himself to be one of the sharpest finishers in the Football League.
Combining pace, power, and precision, he was the most productive U21 player in England’s top four tiers (29 goal contributions – 22 goals and 7 assists) in 2023.
| Ali Al-Hamadi 23/24 stats as per Transfermarkt | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| League Two | 23 | 13 | 6 |
| Championship | 14 | 4 | 1 |
| EFL Trophy | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| FA Cup | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| EFL Cup | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Total 23/24 | 43 | 21 | 8 |
Al-Hamadi was subsequently bought into provide support for Ipswich’s strikers and whilst he didn’t get as much game time as he’d have liked, he proved himself capable of making the step up from League Two to the Championship.
Ipswich believe the jump to the Premier League may be too much for Al-Hamadi. Still, his physical profile and eye for goal make him the perfect replacement for Armstrong and Al-Hamadi will benefit from increased minutes in the Championship with QPR.
Al-Hamadi is a more instinctive finisher than Armstrong but he still provides the same out-of-possession qualities that make Armstrong such a handful for defenders and this combination could prove deadly should the West Londoners bring him back to the Championship.
Armstrong future not secure despite contract extension
Armstrong has been at QPR since signing from Shamrock Rovers in 2020.
The Republic of Ireland international is a key part of QPR’s squad, having made 40 appearances in all competitions last season, and losing him would constitute a huge blow to the club’s plans for next season.
But with Armstrong seemingly unlikely to stay at QPR beyond the end of his contract, QPR may look to cash in on the striker with interest from across the Premier League and the Championship.
QPR are reportedly looking to negotiate a long-term deal with Armstrong, but nothing has been agreed.
Whether or not QPR decide to sell Armstrong this summer, they should start to plan for life without him and the arrival of Al-Hamadi on loan could provide some reprieve for the R’s, even if only temporarily.
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