Premier League-bound QPR line up moves for Jimmy Bullard, Andy Johnson and Jeffrey Bruma

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By Greg Stobart

Queens Park Rangers are set to make summer moves for Jimmy Bullard and Andy Johnson as they prepare for life in the Premier League next season.

The Championship leaders are well into their preparations for the top flight and are also working on a deal to sign young Chelsea defender Jeffrey Bruma on a season-long loan.

QPR are 11 points clear of the play-off places with five more league games to play this season but manager Neil Warnock is planning some major movement in the summer transfer market in order to avoid relegation next term.

Warnock has identified former Fulham star Bullard as his main target to add some Premier League experience and personality to his squad despite the midfielder’s injury problems in recent seasons.

Bullard, 32, has more than two years remaining on his contract at Hull City, but the cash-strapped club have been trying to sell him since they were relegated last May.

Ipswich boss Paul Jewell wants to make Bullard’s current loan spell at Portman Road permanent but the player would happily accept a pay cut to his £40,000-a-week wages to play in the Premier League and return to London.

QPR chiefs accept that the club will need at least five new first-team players to challenge in the top flight, despite the stunning success of this season. No deals will be rubber-stamped until after the May 6 decision on seven Football Association charges relating to an alleged third-party agreement regarding midfielder Alejandro Faurlin.

Loan star | Chelsea may allow Bruma to join QPR for a season to gain experience

Warnock has given the go-ahead for a bid for Fulham striker Andy Johnson, who has struggled to force his way back into the Cottagers’ team since recovering from troublesome knee injuries.

The 30-year-old former Everton star will have to lower his wage demands of £40,000-a-week if QPR bosses are going to sanction the transfer for him to spearhead the west London club’s attack.

Bruma, the highly rated central defender, is regarded as one of the brightest young talents at Stamford Bridge but could be allowed to join QPR on loan to gain Premier League experience.

The 19-year-old made six appearances for the Blues this season before joining Leicester on loan in January following the arrival of David Luiz from Benfica.

QPR are keen to bring the Dutchman to Loftus Road next season but any deal could hinge on who is Chelsea’s manager, with Carlo Ancelotti likely to leave at the end of a disappointing season for last year’s double winners.

Warnock is also close to turning winger Wayne Routledge’s loan move from Newcastle into a permanent deal at the end of the season while Nottingham Forest midfielder Guy Moussi is also likely to join the club.

Rangers are adamant that captain Adel Taarabt will still be at Loftus Road next season despite interest from clubs across Europe thanks to his sensational form since signing permanently from Tottenham before the start of the season.

But Warnock is willing to listen to offers for a number of players in his squad to create room for new signings.

The former Sheffield United boss is already clearing out the deadwood in his squad. Mikele Leigertwood will make his loan move to Reading permanent while Leon Clarke – currently on loan at Preston – is going to Millwall.

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