QPR, Derby County, Coventry City enter race for 23-year-old defender

QPR, Derby County, Coventry City and Middlesbrough have joined Swansea City in eyeing David Sousa, Football League World has claimed.

QPR, Derby County, Coventry City and Middlesbrough are all out to make strides forward ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

While the R’s will have ambitions of breaking into the top half under Julien Stephan, the Rams’ priority will be putting serious distance between themselves and the bottom three. As for the Sky Blues and Boro, they will go again in the bid to finally come good on their promotion ambitions.

As such, new additions are a must, and before they all go head-to-head on the pitch, it seems they could be set for a battle in the transfer market.

Reports revealed fellow Championship side Swansea City had failed with a bid for David Sousa earlier this week and now, Football League World claims the 23-year-old has interest from all of QPR, Derby County, Coventry City and Middlesbrough too.

It is said that Sousa is under contract with current club RWD Molenbeek – who play in Belgium’s Jupiler Pro League – until the summer of 2026.

That could put his club in a position where they need to cash in to avoid losing him on the cheap this time next year.

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The details on David Sousa

The bid Swansea City failed with for Sousa came in at around £850,000, so it isn’t going to be mega money that the defender moves for this summer.

It makes him an affordable yet desired option, especially as a left-footed defender with European experience at the age of 23.

He started out in the Botafogo academy in his native Brazil and after a two-year loan with Cercle Brugge, he was snapped up by current club Molenbeek six months later. Sousa has played 45 times for them, chipping in with four goals and two assists along the way.

QPR one of several clubs eyeing a new centre-back

QPR could certainly do with a new defensive recruit this summer after a notable departure. Loan star Ronnie Edwards is back at Southampton, and he will need to be replaced.

Another addition will also be wise given Jake Clarke-Salter’s injury record and with Steve Cook now 34.

All of Derby County, Coventry City and Middlesbrough are in positions where another option would not go amiss either though. This is likely much to the delight of Molenbeek, who could see an auction unfold as Championship sides battle for Sousa.