Championship clubs are in the hunt for Gillingham goalkeeper Joe Walsh with QPR rumoured to have agreed a fee
Published: 21:00, 26 January 2021
Updated: 22:22, 26 January 2021
Gillingham goalkeeper Joe Walsh could finalise a move away from Priestfield on Wednesday with two Championship sides battling for his signature.
The 18-year-old has only made one appearance for the Gills in the league - as a substitute against Ipswich Town - but he is being tipped for a bright future. Two unnamed clubs from the second-tier have met the club's valuation for the player, with QPR reported to be one of them.
Walsh has been with the Gills since the age of 10 and turned pro in the summer of 2019.
When Steve Evans took over as manager he immediately liked what he saw in the goalkeeper. He’s been understudy to first choice Jack Bonham ever since.
The keeper is seen as one for the future and even the Gills turned to a more experienced goalie when Bonham was injured, bringing in QPR loanee Joe Lumley as replacement to their regular stopper on a short-term loan arrangement.
Walsh has made eight first team appearances for the Gills, the majority of those in the EFL Trophy.
He was absent from the Gillingham squad on Tuesday night and assistant boss Paul Raynor confirmed the youngster looks set to be moving up a level.
Raynor said: “It looks as though he will be going to pastures new tomorrow (Wednesday).
"We got a call at lunchtime on Tuesday from the chairman saying he had agreed a fee with two Championship clubs.
“There has been a bit of interest in him in the last few weeks, which we were aware of, but they have finally met the valuation, a fee has been agreed and Joe is away speaking to both clubs now. We anticipate he will go.
“It will be a fantastic move, whichever one he decides to go to. We have played him when needed and we have given him that first team experience.
“He has been brilliant for us, he is a great young goalkeeper and I am sure he will go from strength to strength. We wish him well.”
Raynor also confirmed they have a goalkeeper lined up as a replacement should Walsh leave this week. The Gills are away to Sunderland on Saturday.
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Luke Cawdell