QPR expected to put in a fresh bid for Nwabali during the forthcoming summer transfer window

ENGLISH Championship side Queens Park Rangers (QPR) are thought to be considering launching a bid for Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali during the forthcoming summer transfer window after it emerged that he will be available on a free transfer.

Nwabali, 27, currently plays for South African side Chippa United, where he has kept nine clean sheets in 20 league outings this season. Ay the last African Cup of Nations, Nwabali was one of the standout performers, sparking interest in his services from numerous clubs across Europe and the Middle East.

QPR are believed to have been one of the clubs that made enquiries back then but Chippa United made it clear they needed Nwabali to complete the season with them. However, Nwabali did not sign a contract extension with the South African side, thus allowing him to leave on a free transfer at the end of the season.

Chippa United appear to be resigned to him leaving and are already targeting Orlando Pirates’ Richard Ofori as a replacement. QPR on the other hand are said to be looking for a replacement for goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, as there remains a question mark over his future at the club, with a new face seeming one of the more obvious moves manager Marti Cifuentes will make this summer.

Begovic has come under fire from supporters at times this season despite the backing he has received from the head coach but the fact that he is 36 years old does not help. A former Chelsea and Stoke City goalkeeper, he only signed a one-year deal last summer, so is expected to leave Loftus Road at the end of the campaign.

Former Super Eagles goalkeeper Peter Rufai, said: "During the start of the African Cup of Nations, in the first match against Equatorial Guinea, that was my first time seeing Stanley Nwabali. After observing his performance, his movement, communication and composure, I immediately thought to myself that Nigeria had finally solved the problem of finding a reliable goalkeeper for the Super Eagles.

"Throughout the tournament, Nwabali continued to grow, maintaining dominance in the six and 18-yard areas of the field. His ability to anticipate and read the game was fantastic. There was a moment when Nwabali came nearly 30 to 40 meters away from his goal to prevent a potential threat to the Super Eagles."

Belgian side Union St Gilloise and Saudi club Al Ettifaq are also reported to be interested in the goalkeeper. Nigeria has had a major goalkeeping problem since 2017 when Vincent Enyeama retired from international football and his replacement Carl Ikeme was diagnosed with leukaemia.