Alex Smithies signed on at QPR to ward off interest from Aston Villa earlier in the season – but Huddersfield Town may be a different proposition.
After arguably the most convincing spell of a nomadic, loan-ridden career, you’d think Sam Johnstone would jump at the chance to return to Aston Villa on a permanent basis this summer.
The Birmingham Mail reports that the Manchester United-owned goalkeeper, who has been farmed out to seven different clubs since 2011, is one of Villa manager Steve Bruce’s main summer priorities.
Consequently, they appear to have turned their attention away from QPR shot-stopper Alex Smithies. The Daily Mail reported that Villa had plotted a £4 million move in January, only for Smithies to commit his future to the Loftus Road club by signing a new contract until 2020.
Nonetheless, that does not mean that QPR can sleep easy through the summer.
According to Get West London, Smithies may be tempted by the prospect of returning to boyhood club Huddersfield Town if they beat Reading in the Championship Play-Off Final on May 29th.
The Terriers will lose Danny Ward (below), their penalty shoot-out hero in the semis against Sheffield Wednesday, when he returns to parent club Liverpool at the end of the month.
Therefore, they will need a new number one, particularly if the Premier League beckons. And Smithies, who has shone in an otherwise disappointing season for QPR, would represent an ideal addition.
The Yorkshire-born shot-stopper joined the club 19 years ago, after all, rising through the ranks to play almost 300 games and fulfil a childhood dream along the way.
And although the ink is still drying on Smithies extended contract, QPR may have a challenge on their hands if Huddersfield come calling, Get West London report.
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