Alex Smithies is set to leave QPR for Cardiff City for just £4 million and things will look ominous for the west Londoners if that trend continues.
The goalkeeper has been one of QPR’s best players over the last three seasons and although often linked with a move away from the club, it’s always harder when the rumours turn into a sudden reality. Nonetheless, ahead of Smithies’ expected move, the highly noticeable and really alarming fact surrounding the transfer is the small fee that has been offered and seemingly accepted.
It’s a well known and publicised fact that QPR are battling to get into line with the FFP regulations but in today’s market, surely more could have been demanded for the services of Smithies. The 28-year-old is coming into his prime and still had two-years to run on his current deal.
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The likes of Massimo Luongo and Luke Freeman are considered to be two of Rangers’ best outfield players and if other clubs come circling for them, how much would it take to prize them away?
The whole transfer has certainly cast a shadow over Loftus Road and it doesn’t breed confidence moving forward. It’s not that QPR don’t have a strong core of players on their books but it appears that the west Londoners are willing to do business on the cheap.
Manager Steve McClaren certainly has a task on his hands and between him and DOF Les Ferdinand, QPR need to show a lot more business acumen in the transfer market.
Failure to do so will surely see a steady decline in league positioning and ultimately an unwanted relegation scrap. If the Rs can go about generating higher transfer fees to replenish the squad as well as try and satisfy the FFP, they’ll likely finish in mid-table again.
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