Plymouth Argyle plot QPR transfer as League One rival hurdle lingers | OneFootball

The Hoops' shot-stopper is in demand ahead of the summer transfer window.

Plymouth Argyle and MK Dons are interested in a goalkeeper with substantial EFL experience as they prepare for the summer transfer window.

Both sides will be playing League One football next term after the Pilgrims narrowly missed out on the play-offs while MK Dons were promoted from League Two after finishing second.

While on the surface it may seem that Argyle and the Dons will have contrasting ambitions next season, there is no reason why both could not be challenging towards the top of the table.

Not only will the pair be competing on the pitch, but it seems they will be going head-to-head in the transfer market as they target one of QPR's shot-stoppers.

Plymouth Argyle and MK Dons interested in QPR's Murphy Cooper

QPR do not exactly have a surplus of goalkeepers on their hands, with just Joe Walsh and Murphy Cooper at their disposal.

Ben Hamer and Paul Nardi have both been released by the club, leaving Walsh, who made the most appearances of any keeper for the Hoops this season, and Cooper, who spent the second half of the campaign at relegated Sheffield Wednesday.

Now, it has been revealed that Plymouth and MK Dons are interested in signing Cooper, according to West London Sport.

The publication reports that the pair have indicated they are keen to snap up the 24-year-old, potentially on a permanent basis, although a loan deal is also possible.

They add that his successful loan spells with Barnsley, Stevenage Borough and Swindon Town prompted interest from several League One clubs during the last few years.

Furthermore, Bolton Wanderers are reportedly one of the clubs to have previously shown interest in the Englishman, although they will be playing Championship football next season.

What would Cooper bring to Plymouth or MK Dons?

Cooper is a man with vast EFL experience, and at 24, he has plenty of time before he reaches the peak of his powers.

The goalkeeper came through the QPR academy but has had to make a name for himself away from Loftus Road, benefiting from a wealth of loans across the Football League and Non-League.

Following a loan at League Two side Swindon, Cooper enjoyed the best season of his career with Stevenage in the 2024/25 campaign, amassing 40 appearances while being voted the club's Young Player of the Year.

The Englishman impressed at Oakwell and even at Hillsborough, where he was voted as the Owls' Player of the Month for January.

This season, Murphy ranked in the top 10 percent of Championship goalkeepers for saves, goals prevented and errors leading to goals, according to Fotmob, which is admirable given he was playing for the side bottom of the table.

With significant interest in his services, the biggest question mark is whether the Hoops would be willing to sell Murphy or whether they would send him out on loan again.

With just two keepers on their books, it feels as though the 24-year-old's future will come down to whether the club strengthen their goalkeeping department and whether they can offer him first-team football.

Of course, there is also a possible scenario where Murphy considers his future away from Loftus Road, but given his potential, that carries risk for the West Londoners.

For now, the Englishman remains a QPR player, but given the history of interest in his services, this will almost certainly not be the last we hear about his future.