If Stockport County fails to secure promotion to the Championship, it could create an opportunity for Julien Stephan to bring 23-year-old English centre-back Ethan Pye to Loftus Road. Ethan Pye, who joined Stockport in July 2021, will be out of contract at the end of the next season. A failure to get into the Championship this year may make his departure an inevitability, as the Hatters would otherwise risk losing him for no fee in 2027. Stockport County maintained a £3 million valuation last summer when Blackburn Rovers expressed interest, but the club may not have that leverage next season if they remain a third-tier club. Interested clubs may be able to acquire him for a lower price, but QPR demonstrated with the Kone signing that they have the ability to buy players for around £3 million.