QPR set to win transfer saga as West Brom 'in talks' with Crystal Palace defender - round-up

QPR look set to keep hold of midfield linchpin Jonathan Varane until the end of the season after fighting off serious transfer interest in the Frenchman’s services this month.

The 24-year-old arrived at Loftus Road from Sporting Gijon in the summer of 2024 and, after a somewhat shaky first campaign, has been revitalised under Julien Stephan. Varane has become one of the first names in the starting XI thanks to his partnership with Nicolas Madsen in the centre of the park.

The midfielder has missed the last four matches due to a minor knee sprain but is expected to return soon. QPR had rejected a bid believed to be worth around £5 million for the player, showing an intent to keep him at Loftus Road.

QPR set to keep Jonathan Varane this month

Now, French outlet Peuple-Vert reports that the Ligue 1 outfit are close to securing a deal for Middlesbrough man Abdoulaye Kante. The 20-year-old has struggled for minutes since arriving from Troyes last summer and is expected to leave the Riverside Stadium.

Should that deal go through, it will likely end Saint-Etienne’s pursuit of Varane. West London Sport had reported that Greek outfit AEK Athens also carried an interest in the midfielder but the serious bid had come from the French outfit.

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace may be about to do business with QPR’s Championship rivals West Brom. The Baggies are reportedly on the verge of bringing in defender Danny Imray on loan.

West Brom linked with Crystal Palace loan

The 22-year-old has been on the books at Selhurst Park since 2021 but is yet to make a first team appearance for the club. He has been sent on loan to Chelmsford City and Bromley.

Imray was on his third loan spell, this time to Blackpool, this season but was recalled by Crystal Palace this month. The player had grabbed two assists in 16 appearances and the Eagles’ decision to bring him home had Blackpool boss Ian Evatt admitting that it ‘stung’ to lose his services.

Evatt said: “I think you know how frustrated I am. It was the last day of the recall option, and there was no prior warning. Having said that, we are grateful to Crystal Palace that they gave us him in the first place. He’s their player, so they’re entitled to do whatever they feel is best.

“I like to think that we’ve done a lot for Danny, and he’s obviously done a lot for us. I’m not going to criticise them, they’re entitled to do whatever they want to, but it stings when he’s one of our best players.

Express and Star report that West Brom are now in talks over a loan for the remainder of the season. Imray is known for his attacking output as much as his defending and could slot into Eric Ramsay’s wing-back system at The Hawthorns.

In other news, 'Deal Done': Charlton Athletic confirm signing of 'immense' ex Everton and Wolves star.