QPR boss Mark Warburton has suggested he will not select Bright Osayi-Samuel if the winger signs a pre-contract with another club.
Osayi-Samuel is in the final year of his contract and reports say Celtic are looking to sign him on a pre-contract in January ahead of a free transfer at the end of the season.
And Warburton has told West London Sport he is keen to avoid that scenario.
“It’s about looking at what protects QPR,” Warburton said.
“The season is starting later than normal and the January transfer window is not that far away.
“People can sign pre-contracts in January and you can have a situation where agents delay conversations, haggle – ‘I’ll come back to you next week’ – and suddenly players are signing pre-contracts.
“And when a player signs a pre-contract and commits to another club, quite understandably their focus and attention drifts away from their current club. I understand that.
“Although these guys are highly-paid athletes and professionals they’re still young guys, many experiencing situations like this which they haven’t experienced before.
“So you have to give a lot of understanding and I do sympathise.
“But for me, I want players who want to be here and want to commit to QPR.
“I understand if they want their future away from QPR. But QPR has to be treated appropriately and has to act in a consistent manner which is in the best interests of the football club.
“You can’t have players just easing to a pre-contract and look to leave for free come May of 2021. That’s not going to happen here.”
Ryan Manning is also in the final year of his contract at Loftus Road and has not signed a new deal.
Warburton’s stance means both players could be left out for Saturday’s Championship opener against Nottingham Forest.