QPR eyeing Motherwell transfer raid after agreeing Pierce Charles loan swoop | OneFootball

QPR have made Motherwell goalkeeper Calum Ward one of their top targets this summer

Queens Park Rangers' search for new goalkeepr options at Loftus Road rumbles on, as head coach Julien Stephan turns his attention to the north of the border.

Stephan's first year at Loftus Road culminated in a 15th-place finish for QPR, who, although at times they flirted with the idea of breaking into the top six, were unable to sustain a sufficient push.

This can be attributed to numerous factors, though arguably the biggest was the situation with the goalkeepers in West London, with each of Ben Hamer, Paul Nardi, and Joe Walsh rationing their time between the sticks.

Now, both Nardi and Hamer have already left the club; Walsh is set to join League One outfit Wigan Athletic on a one-year loan, whilst returning loan goalkeeper Murphy Cooper is on the verge of a £500k switch to Plymouth Argyle, leaving them with no senior keepers.

Sheffield Wednesday shot-stopper Pierce Charles has been linked with a loan switch once his permanent move to Manchester City is complete, but he may not be the only goalkeeper that Stephan brings through the door at Loftus Road.

Queens Park Rangers have agreed a £800k deal for Motherwell goalkeeper Calum Ward

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QPR's pursuit of a new number one has been the focus of their window thus far, and links to potential targets have not been sparse, with another stopper wanted even after a loan deal for Charles is expected to go through once his Man City transfer is confirmed, as per journalist Joe Crann.

Wigan Athletic's Sam Tickle was previously touted before joining Bristol City, whilst Livingston shot-stopper Jerome Prior has been linked, as has Venezuela international goalkeeper Cristopher Varela.

Prior has starred for Livingston in Scotland, and though no formal offer has been reported to have been made for the Frenchman as yet, it seems as though the Hoops are keeping their scouting team north of the border, as Motherwell goalkeeper Calum Ward is the latest name to have been linked.

As per the Daily Record, Ward is amongst their top goalkeeping targets this summer, though it would take a significant six-figure bid for Motherwell to sell.

Now, it has been revealed by Anthony Joseph via X that the Hoops have agreed a fee of around £800k with the Scottish side for the services of Ward, with the Englishman set to sign a three-year deal in West London.

The 25-year-old has had an interesting career trajectory to date, coming through the ranks at Bournemouth before loan spells in non-league with the likes of Totton and Eling, Bashley, Thatcham Town, and Weymouth followed.

He'd leave England in 2021 to join Finnish side HIFK and then AC Oulu, with whom he would impress in the top-flight, making 92 appearances across all competitions, leading Motherwell to bring him back to the United Kingdom last summer.

Ward starred for Motherwell last season, making 42 appearances in all competitions as the Steelmen finished fourth, securing a place in the second UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying round, keeping a record 20 clean sheets.

Only Hearts conceded fewer goals than Motherwell across the campaign, with much of that good work coming from Ward, with the Englishman having prevented a mighty 7.98 goals across the season, statistically the best in the Scottish Premiership, as per FotMob.

Capable of playing out from the back too, interest in Ward is set to be high, as QPR have got their noses in front for a deal before anyone else has, with the 25-year-old on his way to West London.

Julien Stephan has the potential to pull off two real coups with Calum Ward and Pierce Charles

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Although Charles, 20, is widely regarded to be one of the very best up-and-coming goalkeepers about, hence why Man City are signing him, QPR need competition for him when he does arrive as expected.

Whilst the Northern Irish international would be an excellent option, no doubt, Ward's first season back in the UK has been exemplary, and resulted in him being statistically the best goalkeeper in Scotland.

Whether he could translate those performances to the Championship remains to be seen, but for a mere six-figure fee, it's a gamble the Hoops must take, and one that has certainly more upside than downside.

Stephan now has a quality option after Charles' loan ends next summer, with the Englishman set to provide stern competition for the 20-year-old at Loftus Road next season, giving the French boss a welcome selection headache.