QPR backed to seal 'incredible' deal for soon-to-be Man City player | OneFootball

FLW's QPR fan pundit shares their thoughts on the club's links with soon-to-be Man City goalkeeper Pierce Charles

It's shaping up to be a busy summer in West London for Queens Park Rangers, with Hoops boss Julien Stephan looking to hone in on an excellent addition between the sticks after numerous links across Europe.

QPR lumbered to a 15th-place finish in the Championship last season, confirming their place in England's second tier for a ninth consecutive year.

In Julien Stephan's first year at the club, and managing abroad for that matter, he showed glimpses of his ability from the dugout, with the R's consistently flirting with a place in the top six, but unable to quite manage to break into those places.

The goalkeeping position was a consistent area of weakness for the club, with neither Joe Walsh, Paul Nardi, nor Ben Hamer able to nail down a place between the sticks at Loftus Road.

With both Nardi and Hamer having already left the club, Walsh set to join League One side Wigan Athletic on a season-long loan, and returning loanee Murphy Cooper also on his way out the door, with Plymouth Argyle leading the race, a new pair of gloves is a priority this summer for Stephan, who has seemingly fixed his sights on one player in particular.

Queens Park Rangers have set their crosshairs on Sheffield Wednesday shot-stopper Piece Charles with Manchester City deal imminent

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QPR have already been linked with a host of names to fill the vacancy between the sticks at Loftus Road.

Sam Tickle was previously touted with a move prior to joining Bristol City, whilst Livingston goalkeeper Jerome Prior has been linked, as has Venezuela international goalkeeper Cristopher Varela.

However, it now looks as though Northern Ireland international Pierce Charles is their top target, with the 20-year-old closing in on a potential £10 million move to Manchester City from Sheffield Wednesday this summer, where he is expected to be loaned back out immediately, as QPR lurk.

Football League World's QPR fan pundit, Louis Moir, has shared their thoughts on QPR's link with Charles, and whether he would be a good addition on loan following his imminent move to Man City.

Louis said: "I would be more than happy with Charles at QPR. He's one of the sort of best upcoming young goalkeepers about, hence why Man City are getting him. But, obviously, he's going to be probably miles off becoming their number one, probably more of a future signing. But you know, if we were to get him on loan, that would be an incredible signing.

"I think we've been linked with quite a few keepers to be fair so far this window, and I think out of all of them, he's probably the one you'd want the most because, you know, he's had that experience of playing in the Championship, and he's such a young talented keeper, his distribution's great, he's really good on the ball, he's really sort of good with reaction saves.

"He honestly is a real, real talent. And I think obviously not many clubs are in the market for goalkeepers, but if they were, I think every other club in the Championship would probably be after Pierce Charles.

"He's really impressed for Northern Ireland. I truly think this guy could go to the top, and he literally is going to the top with Man City, but in terms of his career, I think he could have a really good career. He's still so young, and I'd be absolutely delighted if we managed to pull off a deal for him.

"It's quite rare that we have a top-class loan. I'm never against loans really. I think it's always good if you have a couple of loans in your squad, especially if they make a difference, and it may just allow us to, even though we probably shouldn't need the time to evaluate the goalkeeper situation even more. And if we have a year of him on loan, I don't think anyone could complain with that.

"He's a top keeper, and we'll do well to get our hands on him, albeit on loan. I'd be thoroughly delighted with him. He's honestly really, really good.

"And, like I said, I just think it'd be a top signing really and a lot of clubs would sort of look at that and think, 'Blimey, QPR have got one of the best keepers about on board,' and if we make a couple of other decent signings then squad's going to be looking even stronger than it did last season."

Julien Stephan must make Pierce Charles his new number one at Queens Park Rangers next season once Manchester City deal is complete

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With Charles emerging as Stephan's preferred target this summer after numerous links elsewhere, there would be an expectation from everyone involved that the Northern Irishman would become their new undisputed number one next season.

Having shown his capability between the sticks with the Owls, tempting Man City into parting ways with a potential eight-figure fee for his services, Charles will be hoping to continue his progression in the Championship next campaign with the Hoops.

Had it not been for injuries, Charles would certainly have made more than his 36 appearances for Wednesday to date, as the 20-year-old will be hoping to put those woes behind him.

He will certainly need some competition to push him upon his switch to West London, but at this point in his career, QPR could be the perfect move for him, and he could be perfect for them.