Queens Park Rangers picked up an impressive 2-0 win over London rivals Millwall at the weekend and are looking to build on this by strengthening the squad before the January transfer window closes.
Marti Cifuentes had a glorious start to life at Loftus Road, having replaced former boss Gareth Ainsworth at the end of October. However, the Spaniard found out pretty quickly that the Championship is a gruelling division.
The London club recently went eight games without a win in all competitions, a run that included six losses and two draws. Nevertheless, a home victory over the weekend stopped the rot, thanks to goals from Ilias Chair and Sinclair Armstrong either side of half-time.
One of the key issues for Cifuentes since taking the job has been his lack of depth in the middle of the park and the head coach is reportedly looking to rectify this issue before the winter window slams shut next week.
According to French outlet L’Equipe, Queens Park Rangers are one of two sides hoping to secure the services of Sporting de Gijon midfielder Jonathan Varane, the half-brother of Manchester United centre-back Raphael Varane.
The report states that Norwich City are also in the running for his signature and have even submitted a £2.1 million bid for the Frenchman. However, L’Equipe have also revealed that QPR have offered to take Varane on loan for the remainder of the campaign with an option-to-buy deal inserted into his contract.
Furthermore, Spanish outfits Cadiz and Getafe are in the running to sign the 22-year-old this month.
Writer’s View
Sporting Gijon currently play in the second division of Spain so it’s difficult to say whether Varane will be able to adapt well enough to the Championship. However, a loan move with an option-to-buy is quite a risk-free move for Queens Park Rangers.
Nevertheless, it will be difficult for Cifuentes’s side to come out on top in this race given the financial disparity between them, Norwich and especially Getafe, who are inside La Liga’s top ten.
