QPR are competing with Celtic to secure the services of Hearts striker Uche Ikpeazu with both sides having watched him play this season, according to Sky Sports Transfer Centre (18:04, 10/10).

The 24-year-old has been leading the Hearts so far this campaign and it is now understood his performance have attracted the interest of Scottish Premiership champions Celtic, as well as Mark Warburton's resurgent QPR side.

It is thought that other Championship sides such as Bristol City, Derby and Wigan have also watched Ikpeazu over the last 12 months, with the forward having scored 10 goals since joining Hearts last summer.

He was an important figure during the Edinburgh outfit's run to the Scottish Cup final last term, and Warburton is now thought to be keeping an eye on the striker to provide attacking reinforcement for strike duo Jordan Hugill and Nahki Wells.

Th duo have formed a productive partnership in the opening weeks of the season having already netted 12 times between them, and Ikpeazu's arrival would see him challenge for a place in the side alongside Brighton loanee Jan Mlakar.

Here are two reasons why Ikpeazu should set his sights on a move to the West London outfit...

Mark Warburton could be on to big things with the West London side

It could prove to be the perfect time for Ikpeazu to join the Rs as they have been showing promising signs so far this term that they can compete for a Premier League return in the near future.

QPR assembled an impressive four-game winning run during the first two months of the season with Hugill and Wells thriving in a partnership together following their respective loan moves from West Ham and Burnley.

It seemed that Warburton was tasked with launching a long-term project at the club when he arrived over the summer, and the early indications reveal that the former Brentford boss is settling in nicely at his new club.

Ikpeazu's potential switch to the Rs may not see him break into the first team immediately, but he would be allowed to develop within this evolving QPR side that could be playing in the Premier League within the next couple of seasons.

This alone could be a big temptation for Ikpeazu, as the lure of Premier League football is likely to hold slightly greater appeal than a move to Celtic.

He could break into QPR's starting line-up next season

It is possible QPR will swoop for Ikpeazu in the January transfer window if they want to ensure they fend off interest from other clubs, but this does not mean the striker will be an immediate shoe-in to make Warburton's starting line-up.

Hugill and Wells have been in imposing form so far this term and they have shown no sign of this slowing down, with the duo both finding the net during QPR's 4-2 victory over Blackburn just before the international break.

This means Ikpeazu will initially need to fight for his place in the side, but it should also be considered that Wells and Hugill are both on loan with the West London side and there is no guarantee they will be plying their trade there next term.

Therefore, Ikpeazu could be given the first six months of his QPR career to settle into his new surroundings and develop an understanding of Warburton's playing style before becoming a more regular feature next term.

The 24-year-old would probably have a better chance of eventually breaking into QPR's starting line-up than that of Celtic, as it would be reasonable to say Odsonne Edouard has made the striker role his own at Celtic Park.

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