Queens Park Rangers are looking to secure a new goalkeeper this summer and have landed on someone who will be a free agent by the end of the week, according to reports.
The West London outfit are in for a busy transfer window after managing to pull off a miraculous survival in the Championship last season under Marti Cifuentes. When the Spaniard took charge at the end of October, the club were six points below the relegation zone but finished the campaign six above the dotted line following a run of three consecutive wins to close out the season, including a 4-0 thrashing of Leeds United at Loftus Road.
Nevertheless, there is likely to be some turnover in the playing staff after securing survival in England’s second tier for another season. Loanee Isaac Hayden, who was an integral part of Cifuentes’ side in the second half of the campaign, has returned to Newcastle United. Meanwhile, Chris Willock and Asmir Begovic, who were also key players for the head coach, are set to leave the club after Sunday when their contracts expire.
Willock has been linked with clubs like Sunderland and may be tempted by a switch to the Stadium of Light. Meanwhile, Begovic has garnered interest from Premier League side Newcastle United, potentially leaving Cifuentes without a first-choice goalkeeper.
It was reported two weeks ago by journalist Darren Witcoop that Queens Park Rangers would look to sign Bournemouth shot-stopper Mark Travers as Begovic’s replacement if the latter doesn’t sign a new contract to remain with the Hoops.
Queens Park Rangers Handed Boost As Target Now Available On Free Transfer
However, French journalist Mohamed Toubache Ter, via Inside Futbol, has now revealed that QPR have turned their attention towards 30-year-old keeper Paul Nardi who is set to be a free agent on Monday once his contract expires with Belgian giants Gent. Furthermore, he is claiming that the Championship side are pressing forward with a deal to get the free agent over the line as soon as possible.
Writer’s View
This could be a really good signing by Queens Park Rangers. While Begovic was excellent between the sticks last season for the club, he is now 37 and is coming towards the end of his career, whereas Nardi is seven years younger and could be the side’s number ‘1’ for a few years.
Furthermore, this is a risk-free transfer for QPR. Nardi is a free agent and will only need his wages covered by the club. He also may be tempted to move to West London if Cifuentes can guarantee that he will be his primary goalkeeper next season after he played merely 15 times for Gent in the previous campaign.
