Exclusive: QPR tipped to land 14-cap international defender in permanent January transfer | OneFootball

Lee Hendrie has had his say on the Wales international’s future in West London

For a club seeking stability after a period of drift, QPR’s improvement under French manager Julien Stephan has been built on structure and reliability.

Rhys Norrington-Davies, on loan from Sheffield United, has epitomised both - a full-back whose performances have quietly underpinned the team’s growing cohesion for the Hoops.

The 26-year-old arrived in west London late in the summer window as an urgent solution to a problem position after slipping down the pecking order at Bramall Lane, and was viewed as a pragmatic stopgap.

Instead, he has become integral to Stephan’s side - the Wales international has rediscovered the rhythm that once made him a promising figure in the Blades' promotion campaigns.

His loan spell has been one of the quiet success stories of QPR’s season so far - and inevitably, it has prompted questions about what happens next.

Lee Hendrie backs a permanent move for Rhys Norrington-Davies after strong QPR start

Those questions about the left-back’s future were put directly to Stephan following the Hoops' goalless draw at Bramall Lane, but the Frenchman was keen to temper speculation.

His response was full of praise for the player’s contribution but notably cautious regarding his long-term future.

Pressed on whether QPR might seek to make the deal permanent, Stephan declined to engage in speculation: “Obviously, he’s only come to us on loan. I stay focused just on the moment and at the moment, he’s on loan.”

In light of the defender’s excellent spell at Loftus Road so far, Football League World spoke exclusively to Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie on whether the R’s should look to launch a permanent move.

“Yeah, I think why not?” Hendrie told FLW.

“I just think that since he's gone there, you know, as you said, he's had a really good spell.

“I think unless that doesn't continue, but, you know, he's a very solid player - and I think you'd certainly think that they'd launch that move and make it a permanent one.

“Maybe that next time available is in January that they could potentially do so.

“You think that that would definitely happen, particularly if he's enjoying his football and the spell's going really well for him so far. So I'd imagine that would be a permanent one.”

Rhys Norrington-Davies shines as QPR future remains uncertain - Sheffield United might have the final say

The likelihood of a permanent move may ultimately depend on circumstances beyond QPR’s control. Sheffield United’s season has been turbulent, and with Chris Wilder now back in charge, the club may soon need to reassess its defensive options.

Wilder has suggested that a January recall is unlikely but stopped short of ruling out a longer-term reassessment.

“He needs to play,” Wilder said recently.

“He’s had some unfortunate injuries over the past couple of years, and everybody wants to play. It’s a good club that he’s joined, and he’s not doing himself any harm at all.”

That pragmatic stance reflects Norrington-Davies’ standing at Bramall Lane: a player admired for his professionalism and versatility, but one whose recent injuries have complicated his trajectory.

His contract, which runs until 2027, gives United flexibility - yet his form at Loftus Road will not have gone unnoticed, especially as the Blades continue to struggle.

From QPR’s perspective, the equation is simple. Norrington-Davies has brought stability and maturity to a position that had been a persistent issue.

Whether that progress translates into a permanent move remains to be seen. QPR would welcome the continuity; Sheffield United may decide they need him back.

After two years disrupted by serious hamstring injuries that cost him a World Cup place with Wales, the 2025/26 season feels like a crucial chapter for Norrington-Davies himself.