Les Ferdinand says Alex Smithies’ new contract at QPR “will get done” despite recent speculation over the goalkeeper’s future.
Aston Villa have been linked with Smithies, whose current contract is due to expire in 2018. The Sunday Mirror reported that Villa were set to make Rangers an offer.
However, West London Sport reported that, while contract talks with Tjaronn Chery – who has since left the club – had stalled, Smithies was set to sign a new deal.
And Rangers director of football Ferdinand has told the Brent & Kilburn Times: “We’re nearly there with Smithies. That will get done. He’s the best goalkeeper in the league for me.
“I’m hearing a few things from a distance that there are a couple of Premier League teams after him, but he’s not one we want to let go.
“We sold the club to him at the start and with the plans Ollie has put into place he still wants to be a big part of that.
“He still has ambitions with this club. I know he wants to play in the Premier League, but he wouldn’t leave us for a Championship rival.
“But at the same time we’d be honest with him and if a Premier League side came knocking for him further down the line and it was the right move for him, then we’d sit down and decide what he wants to do.”