For-sale Luongo might benefit from move, says Ferdinand

On-the-market Socceroos midfielder Massimo Luongo might need a fresh challenge elsewhere to “push on”, according to Queens Park Rangers’ director of football Les Ferdinand.

Luongo, 26, is up for sale -along with the financially-challenged Championship club’s entire squad - and has attracted interest from Leeds United and Nottingham Forest.

Having mentored Luongo in their time together at Tottenham, former England striker Ferdinand then oversaw his arrival at Loftus Road from Swindon.

But, with a year left on his contract with the London club, Ferdinand feels Luongo might benefit from a potential move.

“He’s relatively young and has the opportunity to push on,” Ferdinand told The World Game.

“He has a year left with us but if he does go this (northern) summer he might be able to kick on a little bit more (elsewhere).”

QPR are in a financial hole after breaching Financial Fair Play rules during their promotion season to the Premier League in 2014, and have agreed to a $76 million settlement with the English Football League.

In light of their plight, another season of mediocrity in the Championship may lie ahead.

“All our players are up for sale,” added Ferdinand.

“There has been a bit of interest for Mass. We are a club that if the right offer comes in for one of our players - especially with the Financial Fair Play situation - we have to look at everything.

“It’s not just Mass specifically - it’s all the individuals at the football club.”

Ex-Newcastle and Tottenham marksman Ferdinand believes Luongo would have already departed the R’s for the Premier League had he been able to incorporate goals into his repertoire.

“Mass is one of those who back in our Tottenham days I thought he was going to push on (to the very top),” he added.

“For me, if he added goals to his game he would be playing in the Premier League right now.

“It’s the one part of his game which he hasn’t (to this point) been able to improve on.

“It’s because of that he’s probably remained in the Championship and not gone (as yet) to where he thought he might be heading.”

Luongo managed just three last season from 41 appearances with four assists. His tally was six the season before.

Valued at around $7 million, Luongo might choose to run down the remainder of his contract and leave as s free agent this time next year.


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3 min read
Published 27 June 2019 8:22pm
By Dave Lewis

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