Norwich’s Dutch midfield star Leroy Fer close to QPR switch

Premier League top 10 chances QPR are reportedly closing in on Norwich City (11/4 to be promoted back to the top-flight) midfielder Leroy Fer, after agreeing a fee of around £8m.

The 24-year-old Netherlands international impressed for his country at the recent World Cup in Brazil, scoring against Chile, and has been in demand, with Southampton also rumoured to have been suitors this summer.

However, it seems as if the Hoops have won the race to sign Fer, who was at one point the subject of a swap deal involving Karl Henry going in the opposite direction. But that failed to materialise.

QPR boss Harry Redknapp recently stated his desire to recruit more players in the middle of the park, saying: “We need a couple of midfield players.

“We need to strengthen the squad for sure. If we can get good loans we will take them, but that have to be better than you already have, that’s the key.

“We need a bit of quality, it is going to be a tough division this year. And we need that little bit of quality to keep us in there.”

And specifically on Fer, the former Tottenham manager added: “He’s a player we like but I don’t know where that one is at the moment. It’s been ongoing for a while but there are other people as well that we are looking at.

“I think we need a couple of midfield players and we have got other targets we are looking at.

One of those targets was Jordon Mutch, and the youngster has already joined Loftus Road, but QPR are still short of quality, fit options.

Alejandro Faurlin, Joey Barton and Mutch were used in the club’s first game back in the Premier League, in the 1-0 home defeat to Hull City, but the Hoops have little cover, with Jermaine Jenas injured yet again.

Fer, who has scored three times in 29 appearances for the Canaries, was involved for Norwich’s 3-0 win over Watford in the Championship, coming off the bench, but has had his eyes set on a return to the top-flight.

If the Dutchman joins, he will follow the Rio Ferdinand and Steven Caulker to Loftus Road. The club are also linked with Lassana Diarra and Eduardo Vargas.