Jonathan Varane leaving QPR? Exit claim made as '£5-6m' price touted | OneFootball

FLW's QPR fan pundit reckons that Jonathan Varane may depart the club if a big offer comes in

QPR had an unconventionally exciting transfer window last summer, which has reignited dreams of a potential Premier League return in the future.

The Hoops dropped seven-figure fees on the likes of Rumarn Burrell, Richard Kone and Koki Saito, alongside Ronnie Edwards in January and beat out fellow Championship interest for in-demand wideman Kwame Poku.

Gone are the days when QPR just relied on free transfers and loans to maintain their Championship status. Under Julien Stephan, the R's are well in the mix for just their fourth top-half second-tier finish since returning to the division in 2015.

However, with excitement in the transfer window comes the need to sell, too. Not only to stay above the danger of breaking any financial laws, but also to reinvest and improve the playing squad even further.

Some fan favourites may have to be cashed in on to make the squad at Loftus Road one that can properly challenge for a place in next season's top eight, and FLW's QPR fan pundit, Louis Moir, feels that Jonathan Varane may be that man.

QPR may have to sell Jonathan Varane in the summer, according to fan pundit

Varane is in his second season at Loftus Road, after he signed for only £875,000 from Spanish side Sporting Gijon.

His impressive first year at the club caught the attention of sides in the top five foreign leagues, notably Saint-Étienne, who expressed an interest in bringing him to Ligue 1 both in the summer and in January.

QPR reportedly turned down a loan with a view to a £5.2 million permanent sale in the summer, which would have resembled a hefty profit on the 24-year-old. If that kind of money gets sent their way again in the summer, Moir feels that his side should accept it.

"I think if we were to cash in on one of our bigger assets this summer, it would be Varane," the fan pundit said.

"There was major interest in him in January, and I thought a move might happen. Obviously, the interested clubs didn't offer enough money, and the club didn't want to let him go, but the rumours of what he could have gone for looked pretty decent.

"It wouldn't be surprising to see us sell one or two and reinvest in the summer, especially if we got five or six million, or maybe even more, as that could go into bringing in a few different players.

"So, I think it could be Varane who goes, and I could see interest picking up once again in the summer."

Varane has recently returned from a knee sprain, starting his first Championship game since early January in the defeat against Sheffield United. In the six games he was absent, QPR won just once, and their play-off hopes have diminished off the back of it.

Moir does not doubt that Varane is an important player, and admitted that the side missed him while he was out. However, he also believes that his levels have dropped from last season, and the club could live without his services, especially if they recoup a good fee for him.

"When he was out injured, it showed that we missed him," he admitted. "He wasn't having his best season before then, compared to last year, but he's still a big player, and hopefully he can kick on when he comes back, as it may put his value up even more.

"I can see Varane going in the summer. We got him for fairly cheap, and will make a decent profit to reinvest, so it's good business all round, and that's what you've got to do. It won't be realistic if we don't sell anyone this summer."

QPR may stand to improve without Jonathan Varane — they must reinvest properly, though

Varane became a clear fan favourite at Loftus Road last season, and that feeling has carried into this year. It may not be a popular decision to look to cash in on him, but it may be what QPR needs to do to improve overall next season.

Results weren't there when Varane was out injured, but the Hoops did well defensively without him, keeping clean sheets in three of the six games.

Julien Stephan's side have conceded the fourth-most goals in the Championship so far this season, and 1.7 goals per 90 are conceded when the 24-year-old is on the pitch. The focus this summer should be on limiting those goals against numbers, and selling Varane in favour of bringing in some more exciting, defensive-minded players could be an idea.

But if a sale does come, the money must be reinvested properly. QPR have been an exciting team to watch this season, due in part to the players they have brought to the club in an attacking sense.

Now, it's time to replicate that at the back. Edwards' arrival in January was the first step, and selling Varane to make room for some others may be the next.