Football League World
·30 July 2024
Football League World
·30 July 2024
QPR are closing in on the signing of their latest summer transfer
QPR are closing in on an agreement with Sporting Gijon on a move for Jonathan Varane.
According to Spanish outlet Marca, the deal could amount to a fee in the region of €1.5 (£1.3) million.
There is optimism that a deal can be struck for the 22-year-old, with QPR looking to bolster their midfield options for next season.
The Frenchman made 22 appearances in the second tier of Spanish football last season, helping the side come fifth in the table (all stats from Fbref).
Varane has spent two years in Gijon, making a total of 39 appearances in La Liga 2, including 15 starts.
It is expected that Varane will sign for QPR this summer, with the two clubs now close to an agreement in the region of £1.3 million.
It is hoped that a finalised deal can be reached in the coming days, possibly even as soon as Tuesday.
QPR faced competition in the race to sign Varane this summer, with French side Metz also being linked with his transfer.
But it appears that the London club have won the race to his signature, with Sporting Gijon reportedly lowering their demands after he was deemed surplus to requirements.
Varane was left out of the Gijon side during their recent friendlies, which has been an indication that they are prepared for him to depart the club this transfer window.
Martí Cifuentes is keen to add the 22-year-old to his squad this summer, as he looks to improve his squad ahead of the upcoming Championship campaign.
Cifuentes has earned a lot of plaudits for both the results he’s earned at Loftus Road, and the style of play he has implemented.
The Spaniard led the team to an 18th place finish in the table last season, avoiding relegation with a flurry of positive results in the final stages.
Varane is looking to become the latest signing for QPR this summer, with the likes of Zan Celar, Paul Nardi, Hevertton, Liam Morrison and Daniel Bennie having already joined.
This has been Cifuentes’ first summer transfer window while in charge of QPR, giving him his first real chance to shape the squad to his liking.
He will be hoping to build a team capable of competing in the top half of the Championship next season.
Their opening game of the new term comes at home against West Brom on 10 August.
Varane coming through at a fee of just £1.3 million makes him a relatively affordable addition to the squad.
Supporters will be excited to add another fresh face to Cifuentes’ project, and it is positive to see the club backing the manager in the transfer market.
Varane hasn’t quite been able to nail down a consistent starting position for Sporting Gijon, but he made quite a strong splash on the scene when he first broke into the side.
If he can replicate that form consistently for QPR, then he could prove a very shrewd and valuable addition to the first team squad.