Les Ferdinand has insisted that QPR did everything they could to persuade Josh Bowler to stay at the club.
West London Sport reported this week that Rangers have accepted an offer from Everton for winger Bowler, 18, and that he is set to move to Goodison Park.
Everton are set to pay an initial £1.5m, with the deal potentially rising to £4.25m with add-ons.
West London Sport previously reported that offers from Everton for Bowler had been rejected but that talks between the two clubs were ongoing and that the player had turned down the offer of a new contract.
And Rangers director of football Ferdinand told the Evening Standard: “I had a chat with Josh and his dad in May and told him that he would play for our first team quicker than Everton’s.
“I made all the points about the advantages of being here at QPR and hoped it resonated with him.
“We hoped to keep hold of him, but when a Premier League club comes knocking on the door, they have the finances to make a move.”
Bowler is under contract at Loftus Road until the summer of 2018, having signed an 18-month professional deal in February this year.
His refusal to commit his long-term future to the club left QPR with little choice but to sell him.
He made his senior debut for the R’s when he came on as a second-half substitute during their defeat at Norwich City on the final day of last season.
Bowler has been with QPR for four years. He was previously on Fulham’s books.