POSH LATEST: Washington set for capital move to QPR

Peterborough United director of football Barry Fry has told the Peterborough Telegraph that stories that have surfaced this evening (January 18) regarding the 23 year-old striker’s imminent departure are true.

But Fry says the deal will be worth more than the reported £2.5 million and represents a massive profit on a player signed from League two side Newport County in January 2014. Posh paid an initial £150,000 for Washington, but subsequent add-ons have meant the Welsh club have so far received £220,000 - they also receive part of the proceeds of any sale. The sell-on is believed to be 20% of any profit.

Posh revealed losses of £1.9 million in their accounts for the year ending June 2015. The club have consistently stated this season that they would be selling at least one player in the January transfer window.

Fry also confirmed that deals are already in place to bring two replacements for Washington to the ABAX Stadium, part of a possible four-man package of arrivals before Saturday’s (January 23) important League One clash at promotion rivals Gillingham.

Fry said: “Conor will be at QPR tomorrow to undergo a medical and talk personal terms. The deal isn’t done until the paperwork is completed, but QPR are the only ones we are currently involved with regarding the sale of Conor.

“QPR have made an offer that’s acceptable to the club and the player wants to go which is perfectly understandable. We believe the deal is a good one for Posh and will be a good one for Conor.

“The deal is worth more than the £2.5 million that has been reported tonight. It represents a great profit on a player who has so far cost us just £220,000.

“Conor’s improvement has been so great and so rapid it has taken many people at the club, as well as fans, by surprise, with the exception of our chairman who has always rated Conor very highly.

“We have also been working tirelessly on bringing new players in. I have been working on four deals with prospective new signings, and one or maybe two could be seen as replacements for Conor.

“Again these deals are not completed until the final paperwork so nothing is definite. We would hope to be able to announce new signings before the game at Gillingham.”

Washington has scored 15 goals for Posh this season, form that attracted the attention of numerous Championship clubs. He has scored 33 goals for Posh in 94 appearances, 20 of them as a substitute.

Washington, who was playing at United Counties Premier Division level for St Ives four years ago, scored twice in an FA Cup win at Burton Albion in November. Burton were then managed by Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink who now manages QPR.

QPR sold star striker Charlie Austin to Southampton for a reported £4 million at the weekend.