Fresh QPR transfer update emerges involving Jonathan Varane | OneFootball

Jonathan Varane has been heavily linked with a Loftus Road departure in recent months

A fresh transfer update has emerged surrounding the immediate future of Queens Park Rangers' in-demand midfielder, Jonathan Varane.

According to West London Sport, the Hoops have rejected a recent offer which came their way from French side, Saint-Étienne, although European interest in the 24-year-old very much remains high as we continue to progress through the current winter transfer window.

It has been an intriguing first half of the season for Varane's compatriot, Julien Stephan, in the Loftus Road dugout, with the Frenchman able to initially address what was a concerning start to life for the former Stade Rennais and RC Strasbourg boss in W12 with a push towards the play-offs.

However, as has been the case with several Championship rivals, Rangers' form has largely been inconsistent of late, and they are amongst a large clutch of sides that will still fancy their chances of securing a play-off berth should they pick up a consistent run of results sooner rather than later, as well as enjoying a successful second transfer window of the season between now and 7PM on Monday, February 2nd.

Stephan was able to acquire the services of 11 new players during his first transfer window back in the summer, with the standout addition so far proving to be Jamaican forward, Rumarn Burrell, who, unfortunately, is currently sidelined until March after sustaining a 'contact' injury against Sheffield United on January 4th.

However, the 45-year-old was able to address his side's defensive issues and land his long-term target and former loan favourite from the second half of last season in the form of 22-year-old centre-back Ronnie Edwards, who moved from Southampton for a reported £4.5m fee last week.

As well as their previous long-standing interest in Edwards, one transfer saga which dominated headlines last summer was whether the Hoops would be able to retain the services of Varane, who enjoyed an impressive first season in English football under former boss, Marti Cifuentes, after signing from Sporting Gijon in August 2024.

Yet, whilst his performance levels have split opinion so far this term, there is still extremely strong interest in the midfielder's services, although the Championship side are clearly doing all they can to resist any offers that come their way.

As previously mentioned, Varane has only spent 18 months in West London after Rangers initially secured his signature for an initial £875,000 sum at the beginning of Cifuentes' only full season at Loftus Road before being placed on gardening leave last April and subsequently joining Leicester City.

Throughout last season, though, Varane was an eventual mainstay in the side, and continued to draw high praise from supporters as the season progressed after initially taking some weeks to aclimatise to the English game.

This saw La Liga side, Espanyol, initially table a £5m bid for his signature in early June 2025, prior to Stephan's appointment. Whilst this offer was swiftly rejected by Rangers, this did not deter other sides from across the continent from attempting to lure the combative midfielder away from the Hoops.

Indeed, other clubs who reportedly expressed such interest came in the form of Austrian outfit, Rapid Vienna and Swiss Pro League champions, FC Basel, with the two clubs also seeing bids turned down by Rangers, as well as initial advances made by Saint-Ettiene, who are currently in Ligue 2.

Despite netting his first goal for the London club in a 3-1 success over West Bromwich Albion on December 6th, the current campaign has been an inconsistent one for Varane, who is also nursing a knee sprain which saw him omitted from Stephan's matchday squad for the 2-1 defeat to West Ham United in the FA Cup third round on Sunday.

Beforehand, Saint-Étienne rekindled their interest in signing the midfielder, proposing a package that included an initial loan sweep with the option of signing Varane permanently for £5.2m in the summer.

However, this offer has swiftly been rejected by Rangers, and West London Sport claim that the clause was dependent on the French side regaining their Ligue 1 status, as they are currently fourth in Ligue 2, seven points behind leaders, Troyes.

The report also states that Greek Super League side, AEK Athens, are also readying a transfer move for Varane, as the transfer saga fails to dissipate.

Queens Park Rangers hold significant bargaining power in Jonathan Varane transfer saga

It isn't the greatest of surprises that Rangers want to retain Varane's services, as despite the fact the midfielder has blown hot and cold this term, last season gives supporters a reminder of what he is fully capable of.

Of course, after signing for less than £1m in 2024, the aforementioned deal would still represent a hefty profit coming into the club's coffers. However, with a play-off bid on the line and the fact Varane is under contract until 2030 in W12, Rangers are still the club who hold the most bargaining power in this transfer saga.