Exclusive: Sky Sports pundit raises QPR, Jimmy Dunne exit fear despite fresh contract agreement | OneFootball

Lee Hendrie has given his reaction to QPR defender Jimmy Dunne rejecting Championship interest to sign a new contract at Loftus Road.

Pundit Lee Hendrie insisted that he was not surprised to see Jimmy Dunne sign a new contract at QPR, but he claimed that the defender could still leave Loftus Road in the near future amid strong Championship interest.

It was an underwhelming season for QPR last term, with the West London outfit eventually finishing in 15th place after flirting with relegation, but Dunne enjoyed another impressive campaign on an individual level, and he was voted as the club's Player of the Year by supporters and his fellow team-mates.

FLW exclusively revealed that Sheffield United were interested in Dunne during the January transfer window, and then Blades manager Chris Wilder later confirmed that the club had what he described as a "reasonably good bid" rejected by the R's.

Prior to his departure on Wednesday, it was reported that Wilder remained keen to bring Dunne to Bramall Lane this summer, but the 27-year-old ended speculation over his future this week when he signed a new deal with the Hoops, claiming that Loftus Road "feels like home" and revealing that his "emotional attachment" to the club convinced him to stay.

After news of Dunne's contract extension was announced, QPR CEO Christian Nourry claimed that the Irishman "had the pick of the Championship clubs in this window", but he decided to remain loyal to the club because of "what we are all building together".

Lee Hendrie reacts to big Jimmy Dunne, QPR contract news

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Hendrie said that Dunne's decision to commit his future to QPR is the right move for all parties, but he admitted that, given the vast Championship interest in his services, he would not be surprised to see him leave Loftus Road at some point in the not-too-distant future.

"Jimmy Dunne had the pick of clubs he could have gone to," Hendrie said.

"Does it surprise me that he stayed? No, not really.

"However, it also wouldn't surprise me if he still left the football club after the season he had last season.

"The way he plays, he's a very solid footballer and he can even score goals.

"You do feel that Dunne signing a new contract suits both parties, but just because he's signed a new contract, you can't rule out the fact that he might still leave the football club.

"He had a great season last season, and you can understand why so many top sides in the Championship would love to take him."

Dunne has gone from strength to strength since joining QPR from Burnley four years ago, and he has been particularly impressive over the past two seasons, so as Hendrie said, it is easy to see why he has a long list of Championship suitors.

Despite the managerial uncertainty that has cast a shadow over Loftus Road this summer, Dunne is far from the only key player to sign a new contract with the R's, with the likes of Sam Field and Michael Frey doing similar in recent weeks, and his decision to remain at the club is a big endorsement of the project Nourry is building, as well as being a huge boost for incoming manager Julien Stephan.

Of course, if Dunne continues to perform at a high level, he will attract further interest from elsewhere, but the Hoops are now in a much stronger position to retain him long-term, and he may even be able to achieve his promotion ambitions with the club if the appointment of Stephan proves to be a success.