Bolton Wanderers set to rival Stevenage for QPR star | OneFootball

Bolton Wanderers and Stevenage are both reportedly interested in QPR goalkeeper Murphy Cooper.

Bolton Wanderers and Stevenage are reportedly set to battle to sign Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper Murphy Cooper.

That's according to West London Sport, who claim that the League One duo are both plotting a move for Cooper this summer, but a number of other clubs are also believed to be weighing up making a bid for the shot-stopper.

Cooper has made just two senior appearances for QPR since coming through the academy system at Loftus Road, and he has had loan spells with the likes of Welling United, Bath City, Stratford Town, Swindon Town, and most recently, Stevenage.

The 23-year-old spent the entirety of this campaign on loan at the Lamex Stadium, and after helping Alex Revell's side to an impressive 14th-placed finish, he won the club's Young Player of the Season award.

Boro are thought to be keen to bring Cooper back to the club for a second spell this summer, but it seems they now face strong competition for his signature.

Bolton Wanderers and Stevenage lining up Murphy Cooper, QPR move

After a horror run of just two wins in their last 11 games, Bolton missed out on the play-off places in League One this season, and head coach Steven Schumacher has warned that there will be big changes at the Toughsheet Community Stadium over the summer.

Having conceded an alarming 70 league goals during the course of the campaign, Schumacher made the bold decision to release goalkeeper Nathan Baxter, while Joel Coleman will also depart the club at the end of his contract next month, leaving the Trotters light between the sticks.

Baxter shared goalkeeping duties with Luke Southwood at times this season, so it remains to be seen whether the ex-Reading man will be given the chance to become number one, but it appears Schumacher has now set his sights on Cooper.

During his loan spell at Stevenage, Cooper managed to displace Taye Ashby-Hammond, who had been a regular starter for the club over the previous two seasons, and he earned praise from Revell for his "exceptional performances".

It is unclear at this stage whether the pair are looking to sign Cooper on loan or on a permanent basis, but West London Sport claim that QPR are "unlikely to want to sell" as they hope that he or Joe Walsh can one day become the first-choice goalkeeper at Loftus Road.

Stevenage were not the most prolific side in League One this season, but their excellent defensive record kept them well away from any relegation danger, and Cooper was a crucial part of that solidity.

Cooper enjoyed an outstanding loan spell at the Lamex Stadium, conceding an average of just one goal a game across his 40 appearances and keeping an impressive 16 clean sheets, so it is easy to see why he has caught the eye of other clubs.

Given his success at the club this season, Boro may have an advantage in the race for Cooper's signature, but Bolton have greater financial resources and will have promotion aspirations next term, so he may view a move to Lancashire as a more attractive option.