"We'll see" - QPR boss Marti Cifuentes speaks out amid Sheffield United, Jimmy Dunne pursuit | OneFootball

Jimmy Dunne has been linked with a move away from Loftus Road.

QPR boss Marti Cifuentes has issued his thoughts on Sheffield United's reported interest in Jimmy Dunne, with the ever-present Hoops defender's contract running down at Loftus Road.

Earlier in the week, Football League World exclusively reported that the Blades were eyeing a move for the 27-year-old, as they look to strengthen their squad and improve their chances of securing a Premier League return - especially in the wake of Harry Souttar's season-ending injury in December.

Dunne is out of contract at Loftus Road at the end of the season, so QPR could opt to cash in on the Irishman this winter so that they don't lose him for nothing.

Often playing as a right-back as opposed to a centre-back for the R's in 2024-25, Dunne has been one of the Hoops’ most consistent players this season and it goes without saying that losing him at this stage of the season would be a massive blow.

Marti Cifuentes addresses Jimmy Dunne, Sheffield United links

QPR slipped to a late 2-0 defeat at home to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, a loss which ended a run of four wins on the bounce in the Championship.

Their fantastic form of late has seen Cifuentes’ men pull away from the relegation battle, and they now sit firmly in mid table, perhaps even with one eye on the play-off picture.

Dunne has been crucial to that effort; the former Burnley defender is still yet to miss a minute in the league this season.

Losing him in January, and to another Championship side for that matter, would be a significant blow to the Hoops, and Cifuentes had his say on the links after the defeat by Wednesday.

Cifuentes told London World: “I don’t have anything from the club perspective about it.

“Jimmy for me, is a very important player. I know that he loves to be at QPR and loves the club, and we love him.

“We’ll see what happens, but he is a very important player for us.”

QPR selling Jimmy Dunne before February 3 deadline may make the most business sense

With the end of the January transfer window beginning to come into view, QPR will be hoping that the links between Dunne and Chris Wilder’s promotion chasing side will fade out.

Although he is one of their most important assets at present, with Dunne’s contract expiring in the summer, QPR may choose to take the money and sell the Irishman, should an offer come in.

The Blades have already shown they have money to spend this winter, adding striker Tom Cannon for a fee of around an initial £10million, as per Sky Sports, with finances bolstered following the takeover of COH Sports.

It’s entirely possible that they make QPR an offer they simply cannot refuse for a man whose contract is due to expire within the next few months and, if they do, it would potentially make more sense to move Dunne on.

It’s important that Cifuentes and QPR seek assurances from Dunne where a new deal is concerned; they won’t want to cash in if it’s likely he could extend his stay in the summer.

Another aspect that’s worth considering in this situation is what the Hoops’ ambitions are for the rest of the season. Having pulled themselves away from any relegation trouble, they now sit just six points behind Middlesbrough in the final play-off spot.

Cifuentes’ men will surely have an eye on sneaking into the top six come the end of the season and, if they do, Dunne will be crucial and must be kept at all costs.