Manchester United defender Ethan Laird is set to join Championship side Queens Park Rangers after a proposed loan move to Watford collapsed.
Laird, 21, had provisionally agreed to join Watford on a season-long loan last month, but talks subsequently cooled off after Watford signing Mario Gaspar.
The Hornets signed the Spanish right-back on a free transfer from Villarreal, meaning they could no longer assure Laird of regular football next season, something that is viewed as crucial in his development plan.
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The Manchester Evening News understands that Championship clubs QPR and Preston were two sides looking at a deal for the right-back, with the former set to win the race for his signature on a season-long loan.
Ryan Lowe's side considered a loan deal for Laird, having already added his academy teammate Alvaro Fernandez to their squad this summer. However, it is understood Laird will instead move to West London, where he will play under Michael Beale.
The imminent departure of Laird does not necessarily secure Aaron Wan-Bissaka's future at United, as the club remain eager to shift the right-back.
Erik ten Hag is open to recruiting a right-back before deadline day, but there is an acceptance that players need to be moved on before others can be recruited. United were spurred into moving for left-back Tyrell Malacia and centre-back Lisandro Martinez amid interest from other clubs.
Centre-backs Eric Bailly, Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe, as well as full-backs Wan-Bissaka and Brandon Williams are all still available for transfer.
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