QPR determined to beat Norwich City to £8.5m rated midfielder - second bid prepared

QPR appear determined to beat Norwich City to the signing of Sporting Gijon star Jonathan Varane this summer with the London outfit preparing a second bid for the midfielder.

That's according to Spanish outlet El Comercio, which reports that QPR have had a first bid of €2 million (around £1.7 million) rejected by the Segunda Division side. R's head coach Marti Cifuentes is said to 'really like' the player but the Championship club have lowballed on an offer due to the player's lack of playing time last season.

The midfielder racked up less than 900 minutes in 25 appearances across all competitions for Sporting Gijon last season. Varane didn't pick up a single goal or assist across those matches but does fulfil a more defensive midfield role and could be deployed in a position left vacant by Isaac Hayden following his return to Newcastle United at the end of his loan spell.

Gijon are said to value Varane at a much higher price than the £1.7 million offered by QPR. As picked up by Sport Witness, El Comercio do not mention what the next QPR bid will be but do confirm the club's intent to return with a new offer.

The R's had previously been linked with a move for the player in January with talk of a loan move offer from Cifuentes' side. QPR aren't the only club said to be interested in the 22-year-old, who came through the Lens youth academy.

Norwich City had also been named as potential suitors in January. The Pink Un reported that the Canaries were trying to 'thrash out' a winter move around Deadlie Day with the outlet adding that the Spanish club had a €10 million (around £8.5 million) release clause in place for the player.

Talk of Norwich City interest is still there this summer but it certainly looks as if QPR are now frontrunners to bring the player to the Championship.