Claim made on "top player" at QPR - "I can see offers of around £8-9m" | OneFootball

Jonathan Varane has already been the subject of transfer interest for his performances at QPR

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…

Queens Park Rangers have unearthed several gems in recent seasons, and that has continued to be the case in the past year or so under both Marti Cifuentes and Julien Stephan.

As such, there is plenty of hype surrounding the West London club at present when viewing the current ability and future potential of several players at the Frenchman's disposal across all departments of his squad.

Rangers are currently in a solid batch of form following the closure of the summer transfer window on September 1st, with additions such as Richard Kone already making a significant impact alongside returning Japanese winger, Koki Saito, and the now injury-free Harvey Vale.

With the Loftus Road outfit currently on the periphery of the play-off places in the Championship at such an early stage, many are optimistic as to what the club can achieve between now and the end of the campaign, particularly with stars such as Kwame Poku and Ilias Chair still to return from their own injury blows.

And, whilst the Hoops were one of the most active clubs throughout Stephan's first pre-season and transfer window in the English game with a total of 13 new incomings, it was argued that one of the most important pieces of business was retaining the services of central midfielder, Jonathan Varane.

As a result, Football League World asked our resident QPR fan pundit, Louis Moir, whether he has any fears of losing the Lille-born man should his club not achieve a play-off berth for the first time since being relegated in 2015.

Significant Jonathan Varane, QPR valuation claim made amid previous transfer interest

After joining from Sporting Gijon for a fee believed to be in the region of just £875,000, Varane showcased exactly why the side from the capital were desperate to land such a significant transfer coup.

The 22-year-old's combativeness and steel in the centre of the park was integral to everything good which came out of an up-and-down season under Cifuentes, particularly in a 1-0 win against eventual promotion-winners Sunderland on the final day of the campaign following the club's decision to place the now-Leicester City boss on gardening leave.

As such, Varane became the subject of a reported £5m bid from La Liga side Espanyol in June which was swiftly rejected, before Stephan reiterated the club's stance as a late move from Saint-Ettiene was also knocked back in the final days of the transfer window.

Despite not quite hitting the same performance levels on a consistent basis so far this season, Moir believes that the club should demand a fee almost twice as high for Varane's services should high-end clubs continue to monitor his progress.

"Jonathan Varane doesn't strike me as a player who would try to force a move out of the club," he said. "Since he joined, he's really grown into his role at QPR and built up a top relationship with the fanbase.

"Overall, I don't think he'd want to get away so soon into his career with us," Moir claimed.

"I think it's harsh to say, if we don't get into the play-offs this season, that he'd be looking to leave us next year. Flipping that, I can see him potentially leaving due to transfer interest creeping up, because, already there've been offers for him that were considerably more than what we paid for him.

"He's maybe not fully up to it or fully fit so far this season, missing a bit of pre-season due to injury, and he's probably not been as good this season as he was last year. But, I'm sure those performances will soon ramp up, because he's a top player," our fan pundit stated.

"With his age and potential and the quality he's already shown, I just think there's going to be serious interest in him next summer if we don't go up.

"Like I say, we were rejecting bids - and rightly so - but, if he starts playing like he did last year and showing his consistency over a longer period, there will be interest, no doubt about it," he added.

"I can see offers of around £8-9m, I can really see that happening next summer," Moir predicted. "But it's whether we can hold out for even bigger money.

"People are aware now if a figure like that comes for any of our players, we're not used to selling players for big money, and I think that could happen with a few players that we've got.

"Personally, he won't be seeking a move. I'd be shocked at that, but if an offer came in, I think the club would seriously have to think about it."

Jonathan Varane situation could leave QPR with serious dilemma

With Varane committing to a new long-term deal in May, it's no surprise that his current employers knocked back all transfer offers which came their way for the 23-year-old.

As Moir alluded to, a disrupted pre-season has somewhat influenced a mixed start to the campaign, but when fully firing, Varane has already asserted himself as one of the best-performing midfielders in the division.

Of course, Varane will have aspirations to feature at the highest-possible level, be it with QPR or another club. However, with the sport very much run as a 'business' these days, the hierarchy will only sell him for the right price and an inflated one at that, given the rejection of a £5m bid in the summer and his recent contract extension.

However, for the short-term, his sole aim will be helping his side build on what has been a largely impressive run since the closure of the summer window.