Queens Park Rangers are bracing themselves for a bid from Championship rivals Blackburn Rovers for defender Jimmy Dunne, according to Football Insider.
The Lancashire side are looking for more incomings before the end of the transfer window next week as manager Jon Dahl Tomasson aims to turn around their recent run of poor form. Last weekend’s disappointing draw with Huddersfield Town extended their winless run to seven Championship fixtures and they have slipped from the fringes of the play-offs to 17th as a result.
The highly-rated centre-back Connor O’Riordan completed his move to Ewood Park from Crewe Alexandra yesterday, following on from the arrival of youngster Ben Chrisene on loan from Aston Villa earlier this month.
It is thought that more defensive recruits will be targeted, especially after James Hill was recalled early from his season-long loan by Bournemouth. Rovers currently have the worst defence in the second tier, conceding 53 goals in 28 matches.
According to Football Insider, Championship experience is now being targeted and the 1995 Premier League champions have set their sights on Queens Park Rangers centre-back Jimmy Dunne. The 26-year-old joined the Hoops from Burnley in 2021 and was an ever-present in the heart of the defence over the past two campaigns.
Injury has disrupted his season so far, but he recovered from a dislocated shoulder in October to make his return in a 1-0 defeat against Leeds United. The former Sunderland loanee has since racked up 17 appearances in all competitions, although did drop to the bench for last Saturday’s 2-0 win over Millwall.
Dunne’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season, although QPR do hold the option to extend by an additional year. Whilst that clause is yet to be triggered, Blackburn are hoping to take advantage of the uncertainty and may make a swoop before the end of the window.
The Londoners could move out of the relegation zone for the first time since September this weekend when they take on Huddersfield Town on Sunday. The Terriers are three points above Marti Cifuentes’ team and do possess a worse goal difference.
Writer’s View
This is an interesting scenario. Blackburn are clearly in need of more defensive talent, whilst Dunne did not feature for QPR as they ended their seven-game winless run last weekend.
With his contract set to expire in just a few months, there is every possibility that this could have been leaked by his agent to try and force to club to trigger his one-year extension. Either way, 26-year-old Dunne would definitely do a job for Jon Dahl Tomasson and if a deal can be done, it is certainly worth exploring.
Head of Writing
