GARY HOOPER is expected to become a QPR player by the end of the week as Celtic have accepted a £5million offer for the striker who was in the last year of his contract.

But Hoops boss Neil Lennon has today moved to assure fans that Joe Ledley, Anthony Stokes and Georgios Samaras – who are also in the final 12 months of their deals – have not been forgotten amidst the flurry of selling and signing players.

Lennon wants to get the trio tied up for another three years – at least.

However, he revealed it might be necessary to wait until the end of next month, when the transfer window closes and Champions League qualification is over, to get their futures settled.

Lennon's focus has been on trying to persuade Hooper to stay, and to find the fresh talent he wants to strengthen the squad.

Amido Balde and Virgil van Dijk have already been signed for £4.6million, while Steven Mouyokolo has come in as a free agent.

Lennon still has his sights set on buying another two or three players, and strikers Artjoms Rudnev and Saber Khelifa remain on his list of targets, along with cover for left-back and a left-sided midfielder.

With qualifying games for the Champions League also coming thick and fast, finding the time to sit down with Ledley, Samaras and Stokes – who has already rejected Celtic's initial offer of a new contract – has proved impossible.

It is, however, very much on Lennon's to-do list, and he believes the players in question understand the delay.

He said: "We will sit down and talk to them, but, at the minute, it's a bit hurly burly with a lot of things that are going on.

"Joe has not kicked a ball since last season. But he is definitely a priority to sit down with and speak to, as is Sami and Stokesy.

"I think once we get all of the toing and froing out of the way, and see what we have got left in terms of money, then we will look to improve contracts."

Even before Hooper is sold, Lennon has spent around £17m less than he has brought in during the three years and six transfer windows he has been in charge.

But he understands the need not only to move players in and out to keep the side fresh.

"It may take until the end of the window," he said. "But we will definitely pursue keeping these players here for the next three or four years, if we can."

The Hoops boss makes no attempt to hide his disappointment at what seems destined to be an unsuccessful attempt to get Hooper to stay.

And QPR boss, Harry Redknapp, believes the fee they have agreed to pay for the striker will be a sound investment.

He said: "Hopefully, we're close to finally getting there. But, until it's done, you're never sure.

"He's a player we've been chasing for a while and now we've agreed a deal with Celtic."

Meanwhile, reports in Italy have linked Celtic with Paraguayan left-winger Marcelo Estigarribia.