Queens Park Rangers are in the market for a new midfielder this summer and have re-ignited their interest in Sporting Gijon star Jonathan Varane.
It was first revealed by French outlet L’Equipe during the January transfer window that QPR were hoping to secure the signing of Varane, the brother of former Manchester United and Real Madrid centre-back Raphael Varane. However, the publication also claimed that fellow Championship side Norwich City were keeping tabs on his situation in Spain.
L’Equipe reported that the Canaries offered £2.1 million for the 22-year-old, while the West London outfit were looking to sign him on loan for the remainder of the 2023/24 campaign with an option-to-buy clause inserted into his contract to make the deal permanent in the summer.
Nevertheless, a deal never came to fruition with either party and Varane remained in Spain’s second tier as Sporting missed out on promotion to La Liga following a defeat to Espanyol in the play-off semi-finals, but the West London outfit are still looking to acquire his signature.
According to a report from El Comercio, via Sport Witness, Queens Park Rangers submitted a £1.7 million bid for the Frenchman in the hopes of having their offer accepted. However, Sporting Gijon have rejected this as they are currently holding out for a much higher fee, although the outlet states that QPR may make another offer soon as head coach Marti Cifuentes looks to bolster his midfield department. Varane still has three years remaining on his contract at El Molinon, hence why Sporting Gijon are looking for a lot more money.
Writer’s View
Varane had a decent season in Spain, although he didn’t play as much as he would have wanted. He made 25 appearances in all competitions for Sporting Gijon but failed to record a single goal or assist. Regardless, he is better in the deeper areas of the pitch which is why his stats seem low.
The Varane brother plays as a central midfielder, but can also operate in more advanced areas or even in a deeper role. That being said, he will likely be used in Cifuentes’ double-pivot at Queens Park Rangers, potentially in the position where Newcastle United star Isaac Hayden played last season while on loan at the club.
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