"Good business for QPR" - Pundit reacts to Jimmy Dunne, Sheffield United transfer decision | OneFootball

Jimmy Dunne stayed at Loftus Road on deadline day despite interest from the Blades.

Carlton Palmer has praised Queens Park Rangers for their decision to keep hold of Jimmy Dunne in the January transfer window, despite interest from Sheffield United.

Football League World exclusively revealed on deadline day that the Blades were pushing for a move for the defender before the 11pm deadline, but the R's refused to allow the 27-year-old to move on without a replacement coming in beforehand.

Club CEO, Christian Nourry, confirmed that there was interest in Dunne, but the offer did not meet their valuation of the Irishman. However, with his contract due to expire in the summer, there will be fears about his long-term future at Loftus Road.

QPR have made an incredible recovery after a tough start to the season, and they are now involved in a major battle for the final two play-off positions, despite being 13th.

Palmer makes QPR claim after deadline day saga

Marti Cifuentes was backed by the club's hierarchy to turn the situation around, and he has done excellently. However, he needs as much quality in his squad as possible to help make that final push towards the play-offs.

Dunne can provide this for them, but there will be uncertainty over whether QPR will regret not taking a fee for him in January with it now looking likely that he will leave for free in a few months' time.

Nevertheless, former England and Sheffield Wednesday midfielder, Palmer, believes that the R's have made the right decision to not sell the right-back.

Speaking exclusively to FLW, he said: "QPR’s CEO Christian Nourry has confirmed that there was transfer interest in Jimmy Dunne. We believe that Sheffield United was the club that was interested in bringing him in to help them in their push to get promotion to the Premier League.

"The CEO, Nourry, has confirmed that the offer made for the Irish Irishman, who has established himself as a key player for Martin Cifuentes, was not at the required level.

"His contract situation is where the problem occurs. They've decided to keep him until the summer and I'm assuming now they'll try and tie him down to a long-term contract. He's 27-years-old and his contract's up at the end of the season. Ultimately, a deal wasn't agreed with Sheffield United, and they went on to sign Rob Holding from Crystal Palace."

Palmer continued: "It does mean that the defender can leave on a free in the summer. But there is hope that he is enjoying his football at QPR. He's flourished under Cifuentes, so I think it’s the right call as they didn't receive the right amount of money for the player.

"However, how have they allowed the player to get down to this kind of situation? I know he has flourished under Cifuentes, but when he's been playing well, surely you would tie him down to a new contract? So now Dunne’s in the driving seat.

"But it was good business for QPR, at this moment in time, because after a slow start to the season, they now find themselves in mid-table, and they're only a few points off a play-off position. So, I think it's the right stance for QPR to take and now it's a question of whether they can convince him to sign a new contract."

QPR have made the correct decision for the short-term

Although Dunne may still leave at the end of the season, if QPR are able to finish in a play-off place, then their decision to keep hold of him will have been a good one.

At 27, he is entering his prime and Premier League football will be in the back of his mind. Therefore, if the R's do manage to win a surprise promotion, they may just be able to retain the services of the defender.

However, Sheffield United are in an incredibly strong position, and there is no doubt that Dunne will be keeping a keen eye on the Blades' push for the top flight.