QPR jump in for Joleon Lescott, set for cut-price Doyle deal

QPR, 13/8 second-favourites with Coral to be relegated from the Premier League next season, have been linked to a third former England defender this week, with Joleon Lescott now reportedly on Harry Redknapp’s radar.

Tabloid gossip columns also claim Spurs skipper Michael Dawson and Rio Ferdinand, who becomes a free agent when his deal with Manchester United expires, are targets for the Hoops boss. Remodelling the Loftus Road defence is understood to be top priority, because of the age of the current options.

Captain Clint Hill and Richard Dunne are in their mid-30s already, as is Aaron Hughes, who may be kept on in west London after joining from neighbours Fulham in January on a short-term contract. Lescott, 31, would be another experienced left-footed option that could bring balance to QPR’s backline.

West Ham, a 6/1 shot to go down in 2014/15, have also been keen to sign him. Sam Allardyce went in for Lescott in the January transfer window, but again has failed to agree terms with the player who is leaving Premier League champions Manchester City.

In other Hoops news, on-loan striker Kevin Doyle may have earned a permanent transfer from Wolves, with Redknapp chasing a cut-price £1m deal. The Republic of Ireland international, 30, scored twice in 13 appearances after arriving in January.

The lure of playing Premier League football again appeals to former Reading frontman Doyle, who cost Wolves £6.5m, meaning they will make a substantial loss on him. A downward spiral at Molineux was ended as Kenny Jackett steered the West Midlands outfit to the League One title this term, following successive relegations.

Doyle played a bit-part role in Wolves’ success, however, and they are keen to get him off their wage bill permanently. They are not among the favourites for next season’s Championship title at 16/1.