£875k QPR star who "dominates the midfield" tipped for transfer interest | OneFootball

FLW's Queen Park Rangers fan pundit ranks summer signing as one of QPR's best players

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

After staving off relegation to League One last season, QPR have looked to build under Martí Cifuentes in the Spaniard’s first full season in charge at Loftus Road.

The R’s are now in a much healthier midtable position after 31 games played in the 2024/25 Championship season, thanks in part to summer recruits.

However, Football League World’s QPR fan pundit fears that a certain summer signing may be destined for bigger things.

Jonathan Varane labelled as one of Queens Park Rangers’ best players

Reuters

When asked which current Rangers star he expected to receive heavy interest this summer, FLW’s R’s fan pundit Louis Moir had one player clearly in mind.

“I think one player that could see a lot of interest come in for him in the summer would be Jonathan Varane,” Louis told Football League World.

“We only signed him last summer, but he’s really come on in the last few months.

“He’s really become a lot more consistent. He's been arguably one of, if not, our best player for the last few months.”

Jonathan Varane judged too “early” and harshly

Tough-tackling midfielder Varane arrived at Loftus Road for a reported £875,000 fee in the summer from Spanish outfit Sporting Gijon.

The Martinique international took time to adjust to life in west London, primarily featuring off of the bench at the beginning of the campaign.

A red card just before half-time away at Blackburn Rovers drew criticism for Varane from the QPR faithful, especially after R’s went on to lose the game 2-0.

However, following the October international break, Varane has become one of Cifuentes’ trusted lieutenants in the Rangers midfield.

“He got a bit of criticism at the beginning of his career with us, but I think that was a bit harsh,” Louis explains.

“He didn't really play much, he was coming on (as a substitute).

“I think that red card he got away at Blackburn sort of made people question him at the beginning.

“But it was harsh to judge him so early into his QPR career.

“And you just got to look at him now – he just dominates the midfield, he wins the ball back so much, he’s tidy on the ball.

“With him only being 23, you’re going to have clubs already looking at him to be honest.

“So he’s one player that if he carries on progressing the way he does, we’ll be lucky to keep him really.”

Compared to Championship players operating in a similar position, Varane ranks highly for defensive actions, highlighting his willingness to get stuck in and graft for his team.

And at 6ft 3in, Varane’s height allows him to dominate in the air – especially compared to other players in the league.

The French-born midfielder wins 65.9% of his aerial duals, leaving him in the 91% percentile for Championship midfielders according to fotmob.com.

Look but don’t touch – QPR fan’s hope for Jonathan Varane

Reuters

Despite tipping Varane for a summer move, Louis hopes that the Hoops will be able to keep the 23-year-old at Loftus Road.

Louis continued: “He’s only 23, he looks a top player, and hopefully clubs can maybe look at him - but that’s all - and we get to keep hold of him.

“Because he looks to be one of, if not the best holding midfielder in the Championship.

“He’s certainly going that way.”