QPR goalkeeper Alex Smithies could be on the move to St Andrews this summer, according to reports.
The 28-year-old is said to be on Garry Monk’s list of transfer targets, although that has only been confirmed by one reporter so far, the Sun‘s Alan Nixon on Twitter.
Still, it hasn’t stopped fans debating over whether the former England youth international would be an upgrade on our current first-choice David Stockdale:
So Alex Smithies is who we’re interested in if Stockdale goes, would seem a strange move. Seems okay to me though
— Chris (@_chris96bcfc) 27 May 2018
Smithies was regarded as one of the best in the division a year or two ago. I don’t see why QPR would let him go?
— Kane Styles (@KaneGStyles) 27 May 2018
Stockdale was best in the league when Brighton went up
— paul white (@paulwhite1980) 27 May 2018
Blues Squad for next season (4-4-2)
Smithies
Colin
Dean
Morrison
Grounds
Jota
Kieft
Davis/New CM
Mags
Vassell
Adams/New ST— Jack❄️(jxckBCFC_) (@JxmieVxrdy) 28 May 2018
I’d take Alex Smithies all day long.
— Shaun (@Veno1983) 27 May 2018
If the Alex Smithies rumours are true, it must mean we have money on the table.
(Ill await the “FFP” comments from people who like me have no facts or official statments to say we have or havnt failed) #BCFC #KRO
— joe watson (@joewatson24) 27 May 2018
Yes mate I saw cheers, would be a very good replacement
— Conor Keane (@conorkeane21) 27 May 2018
I would definitely take Alex Smithies #bcfc
— Conor Keane (@conorkeane21) 27 May 2018
Smithies from QPR… YES PLEASE. @reluctantnicko #bcfc
— George Yiend (@GeorgeYiend) 27 May 2018
Verdict:
With it being pretty quiet on the transfer front since the end of the season, it can be easy to get a bit too carried away with rumours of potential signings.
The likelihood is that we will have to sell Stockdale to free up funds for other purchases like Smithies anyway.
The QPR keeper is certainly highly rated at his current club, and I certainly wouldn’t be against making a move him. He is a decent age and is capable between the sticks, but we’ll just have to wait and see if we make an offer.