Sheffield United linked with Luke Freeman... but QPR boss insists "we are under no pressure to sell"

Freeman emerged as a target for United as manager Chris Wilder continued his pursuit of a replacement for David Brooks, who joined Bournemouth this summer in a £12m move.

With QPR having their £42m Financial Fair Play fine reduced to £17m, and also converting £22m of directors’ loans into equity, the prospect of Rangers being forced to sell some of their star players was raised.

But the fine is payable over the next 10 years, and will not be counted as an 'outgoing' when calculating QPR's future co-operation with the financial rules. And boss McClaren, speaking to West London Sport, said: “Whatever news came out, it doesn’t change the situation we’re in.

“It doesn’t change our plans in terms of we don’t have to sell players we don’t want to sell. We don’t have to do that.

“The owners are still right behind this football club – right behind taking it forward, despite the hurdles which people have put in front. They want to progress.”