QPR in talks for Bristol City playmaker with full-back and wantaway striker also in line for exit

Bristol City lost three Championship points to QPR on Thursday evening, and they may yet lose a midfielder to the side from the capital.

Bristol World understands that the Robins have held early discussions with Mark Warburton's side over a move for Kasey Palmer.

The Jamaica international midfielder has not played for the Robins since 19 October and the last minute 1-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest, and was not among the substitutes when City lost 1-2 on Thursday.

Despite not being in favour, there has been no falling out with manager Nigel Pearson, who is fair-minded with all of the Robins squad, even recently encouraging Palmer that he could yet make it back into the squad and into his plans.

However, Pearson prefers attacking midfielders Alex Scott - who netted his third league goal of the campaign against QPR - and Ayman Benarous currently, with the two academy products having impressed at Failand and in their pitch time so far.

Warburton is on the lookout for reinforcements this month, with Ilias Chair heading to AFCON with Morocco in January.

Talks are not advanced but the QPR boss and director of football Les Ferdinand see Palmer as somebody who can add creativity and help the Hoops in their bid for the top six in the league.

Palmer would be attracted to more first-team football opportunities and the good football that QPR are playing currently. If a move goes through, a loan with an obligation to buy or a permanent move is most likely. A loan is not of interest to Palmer.

Bristol City, meanwhile, are under pressure to reduce costs and are willing to let several players leave in January.

Jay Dasilva has been told that he can depart and the club are expecting to loan the full-back out this window, with other Championship sides interested.

The Robins would also be open to letting Nahki Wells move on, with Antoine Semenyo impressing in attack currently, with Andi Weimann and Chris Martin more regularly leading the line.

Nigel Pearson still wishes to add a striker and if the Robins can free up the space in the squad and on their wage bill, the West Country side will look to bring in a striker. However, that is more likely to be in the summer, with City announcing last week a record pre-tax loss of £38.4m for the 2020/21 financial year.

Pearson's team are keen to improve their squad but the 58-year-old admitted last week that loans are not of interest and that the club will only recruit if they can find better than what they already have in BS3. January is also a difficult time to recruit, with clubs less open to selling players. Something the South West team are all too aware of.

"If you look at my track record right the way through being a manager, I’m not somebody who goes out and spends money without having it," said Nigel Pearson at the pre-QPR press conference.

"Doing due diligence, so clearly, and I think I’ve been quite open about this for a while, I don’t envisage us going out there and spending fortunes, and that’s why the January window is a difficult one of course, because you don’t necessarily get the value for money."

Bristol City play Millwall on Sunday, 2 January, as they look to bounce back from two home defeats in a row.