Queens Park Rangers target Joe Walsh is on his way out of Gillingham and set for a move to the Championship, Gills coach Paul Raynor told Kent Live.
With the drop zone lurking ominously in the background, QPR have made good use of the January transfer window as they look to climb the second-tier table and escape the clutches of a relegation battle.
In Charlie Austin, Jordy de Wijs and Stefan Johansen, Rangers have brought in three new players capable of strolling into Mark Warburton’s starting XI.
January signing number four, however, would be ‘one for the future’ rather than someone capable of becoming an immediate first-team regular at Loftus Road.
According to West London Sport, QPR are closing in on a £500,000 deal that would see the highly-rated Walsh swap Gillingham for the capital. The young goalkeeper is expected to sign a two-and-a-half year deal.
And Raynor, assistant to Gills manager Steve Evans, believes a deal could be announced later today.
“It looks as though he will be going to pastures new. We got a call at lunchtime on Tuesday from the chairman saying he had agreed a fee with two Championship clubs,” said Raynor, who was reluctant to identify Walsh’s suitors by name.
“There has been a bit of interest in him in the last few weeks, which we were aware of, but they have finally met the valuation, a fee has been agreed and Joe is away speaking to both clubs now. We anticipate he will go.
“It will be a fantastic move, whichever one he decides to go to. We have played him when needed and we have given him that first team experience.
“He has been brilliant for us, he is a great young goalkeeper and I am sure he will go from strength to strength. We wish him well.”
Speaking to Kent Live in December 2019, Steve Evans admitted that Celtic and Everton had been scouting Walsh, tipping the teenager to have a ‘wonderful career’ away from Priestfield.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
