The Queens Park Rangers star is well known to Sunderland’s new boss.
Sunderland are keen to replace last season’s number one Jordan Pickford, who has since been sold to Everton for £30 million.
But if Ruddy does head elsewhere, could Queens Park Rangers’ Alex Smithies be next on the Mackems’ shopping list?
QPR’s Alex Smithies saves a penalty from Aston Villa’s Jonathan Kodjia
What’s the connection?
Smithies played under Sunderland’s new boss Simon Grayson at Huddersfield Town, where the pair were promoted in 2012. Grayson later claimed via The Huddersfield Examiner that Smithies had potential to one day play for England at senior level.
How’s he gotten on since?
Smithies remained at his boyhood club until 2015, when newly relegated QPR prised him away as they sought to gain promotion back to the Premier League. The 27-year-old was second choice initially, but has since established himself as R’s number one after dislodging Robert Green midway through the 2015-16 campaign. He played every single one of the Londoners’ Championship matches last term and picked up a hat-trick of gongs at the club’s end of season awards ceremony.
Queens Park Rangers’ Alex Smithies looking dejected
Would QPR sell him?
Evidently they wouldn’t want to, though director of football Les Ferdinand told Get West London in May: “We are working to a tight budget so in order for us to go out and buy players, we may need to sell to raise funds,” which could encourage Sunderland to bid. Having said that, with three years left on his contract the ball is very much in QPR’s court.
Could – and should – Sunderland move for QPR’s Smithies this summer?
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