What QPR have officially said about Jimmy Dunne's future as Sheffield United circle | OneFootball

Dunne is yet to sign a new contract with the Hoops as the Blades plot a move for his services

Queens Park Rangers remain locked in contract discussions with 2024/25 Player of the Year Jimmy Dunne as he nears the end of his current Hoops deal, amid rumours that fellow Championship side Sheffield United are plotting a move for his services this summer.

Versatile defender Dunne has emerged as one of QPR's most important and consistent players over the last 18 months, but as it stands, he looks set to leave the club this summer as his contract expires at the end of June.

The Republic of Ireland international's impressive performances in the first-half of the season saw him linked with a move to the Blades in the January window by Football League World, but he stayed put in West London and continued to be a standout at the back for the R's.

Now the campaign is officially over and United are reportedly set to revisit their previous interest, QPR have moved to provide an update on the situation regarding Dunne and his future at the club.

QPR issue Jimmy Dunne contract update amid Sheffield United links

Dunne has been in the form of his life in W12 over the last 12 months, and his impressive form led him to be handed a start in all but one of their 46 games in the Championship in the season just finished. He was also handed the captaincy by Marti Cifuentes towards the end of the campaign.

It came as no surprise to see Sheffield United register their interest in his services in January, as he is a solid Championship defender, and his versatility allows him to play well at either right-back or centre-back. They failed in their advances, however, and he kept on impressing throughout the rest of the season to win the R's Supporters' Player of the Year last month.

He is now quickly approaching the end of his deal at Loftus Road, and United are reportedly set to revisit their previous interest, according to Alan Nixon, as Chris Wilder aims to begin his summer rebuild with the free signing of the 27-year-old.

QPR have now provided some clarity on his future at the club in their official retained list released on Wednesday morning, and have confirmed that they 'remain in discussions' with Dunne over a new contract as he edges ever closer to a departure next month.

Dunne seems unlikely to sign a new QPR contract - Sheffield United are an attractive option for any player

Dunne recently won his first cap for the Republic of Ireland as a result of his impressive QPR performances, and he has racked up over 150 appearances for the club as of the end of this recent season. He has grown into a real fan favourite at Loftus Road, and it would be a huge loss if he were to leave at the end of his contract in June.

With that said, an exit does seem like the most likely outcome right now, as his heart is surely set on leaving, having still not signed a new extension with a month to go until he is a free agent and able to join any club that offers him a new deal.

His future would surely have already been sorted out if he was definitely planning on staying in W12, but R's supporters will at least be encouraged by the fact he is still in discussions with the hierarchy over fresh terms, so no definite outcome can be assumed as yet.

Dunne is a top Championship defender, and the Blades are likely to challenge at the right end of the second-tier next season after their recent play-off final heartbreak against Sunderland. The chance to join such a club, which has a good chance of playing Premier League football in the near future, is surely one that the 27-year-old will jump at, if given the opportunity.

Chris Wilder has previously admitted that he "obviously" rates Dunne's abilities, hence their January bid, and it seems pretty likely that they will offer him a contract soon following new reports of their interest.

United will seal a stellar defensive signing if the Republic of Ireland international joins the club this summer, and if he does, he is sure to be an influential figure next term as they aim to gain automatic promotion at the second time of asking.

It would be a huge loss for QPR, and they would have to recruit wisely to try and replace his talents if he were to leave, but right now they will hope that he is set to stay at the club beyond the end of next month.