'QPR have enquired' - Fabrizio Romano confirms Rs transfer news

Nwabali earned plaudits at AFCON this year.

QPR have 'enquired' about a summer transfer move for Nigerian international Stanley Nwabali. The goalkeeper impressed at the Africa Cup of Nations, picking up a Man of the Match award in the semi-final, and is tipped to make his first move to Europe.

That's according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, who shared reports of QPR interest on Sunday morning via his social media page. Romano wrote: "Nigeria GK Stanley Nwabali, on the list of different clubs as Al Ettifaq in Saudi and Queens Park Rangers in UK have enquired about him. His South African club Chippa United will consider his future move in the next months."

The 27-year-old's current side, Chippa United, plays in the Premier Soccer League of South Africa. Nwabali joined the club in 2022, moving away from Nigerian side Katsina United.

QPR supporters may not have heard of the star but his performances in this year's Africa Cup of Nations were heralded as he helped Nigeria to second place. He saved two penalties in the semi-final clash with South Africa and earned the praise of former Super Eagles shot-stopper and AFCON 1994 winner Peter Rufari.

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Rufari said: “In the commencement of the AFCON, the first match against Equatorial Guinea, that was my first time seeing Stanley Nwabali. Immediately I assessed his performance, his movement, communication, composure and I immediately said to myself Nigeria has been able to solve this problem, the yearning of Nigeria getting a better goalkeeper for the Super Eagles.

“Nwabali in that first match [against Equatorial Guinea] satisfied me and I was happy with what I saw, Nigerians were happy with what they saw as well but it didn’t just end there.”

Marti Cifuentes currently has veteran goalkeeper Asmir Begovic as his first choice between the sticks but the former Chelsea, Stoke City and Bournemouth star has faced questions over his performances this season. The 36-year-old's current deal at Loftus Road is set to expire at the end of this year, having only signed a one-year contract when arriving at the club last summer.