Exclusive: QPR and Watford plot moves for ex-Swansea City player | OneFootball

QPR and Watford are both considering moves for ex-Swansea City defender Cyrus Christie, Football League World understands

Championship duo QPR and Watford are both weighing up potential moves for Cyrus Christie after the experienced defender became a free agent earlier this summer, sources have exclusively revealed to Football League World.

Christie could become the latest addition at either QPR or Watford, two sides who have both pulled off some impressive deals in this summer's transfer window as they each bid to ruffle some feathers and plot respective bids to find their way into play-off contention in the upcoming 2025/26 Championship campaign.

QPR have completed four new signings to date following the appointment of Julien Stephan, with their capture of much-sought-after winger Kwame Poku representing the most eye-catching deal at Loftus Road this summer. The likes of Kealey Adamson, Rumarn Burrell and Amadou Mbengue have also arrived, too, as QPR look to build upon last season's 15th-placed finish under Marti Cifuentes.

They finished just one point and one place below Watford, who have also managed to broker a number of acquisitions after an off-season managerial change of their own, with Uruguayan boss Paulo Pezzolano replacing Tom Cleverley after his contentious dismissal from the Vicarage Road dugout.

The Hornets have made five signings and counting, with the hugely exciting arrivals of Luka Kjerrumgaard and former Bayern Munich prodigy Nestory Irankunda supplemented by deals for Othmane Maamma, Vivaldo Semedo and Caleb Wiley.

QPR and Watford weighing up free transfer swoop for Cyrus Christie

Both sides appear to have conducted the bulk of their business, at least in terms of bolstering their first elevens, ahead of next weekend's opening weekend of Championship action - but are still scouring the market for further potential additions in the final month of the summer window.

FLW has been exclusively informed that QPR and Watford are both considering moves for Christie, who has spent the duration of the summer as a free agent after being released by Swansea at the end of the previous campaign.

The 32-year-old rejoined the Swans back in November on a deal until the end of the season but made just 11 Championship appearances and two starts across 276 minutes of action, seeing a significant reduction in his action after Luke Williams was sacked and replaced with Alan Sheehan.

Christie, who has been capped 30 times at senior international level by the Republic of Ireland, would bring a wealth of Championship experience to either QPR or Watford, having clocked up 331 appearances at this level throughout a career which has included spells with the likes of Coventry City, Derby County, Fulham and Swansea.

Cyrus Christie could be a solid short-term addition for QPR or Watford

As just mentioned, Christie's experience is a major plus point that goes in his favour as he bids to return to football with a new club.

There are not too many currently-active players with greater experience in the second-tier than Christie, who helped Fulham gain two successive promotions to the Premier League between 2018 and 2020.

The right-back is perhaps no longer at the level to be playing consistently for a side with ambitions of promotion, but can still prove a dependable squad option with his experience and leadership qualities.

At no cost, it's easy to see why the duo are weighing an approach for his services, and it will be interesting to see exactly what comes of their consideration in the coming days and weeks.