'Advanced talks': QPR and Millwall boost as Sheffield United swoop for Premier League star

Sheffield United are in 'advanced talks' to sign Crystal Palace veteran Rob Holding as the club continues its desperate pursuit of a centre-back before the close of the window.

The Blades are looking for an extra defender following an injury to Harry Souttar in December. Sheffield United sit second in the Championship and are pushing for automatic promotion back to the top flight, but have Burnley hot on their heels.

QPR fan favourite Jimmy Dunne had emerged as a top target for the club with a bid sent to Loftus Road. The 27-year-old was not in the matchday squad to face Millwall at the weekend as transfer rumours swirl.

Sheffield United interest in QPR and Millwall stars

With R's head coach Marti Cifuentes absent due to tonsillitis, assistant Xavier Calm claimed that Dunne had not travelled across the capital due to an injury problem. QPR triggered an automatic extension in the defender's contract last year but that is only believed to be for an extra season, with Dunne potentially able to leave as a free agent this summer.

Despite reports of keen Sheffield United interest, a deal for Dunne appeared to hit a snag with QPR rejecting another bid on Deadline Day. Millwall man Japhet Tanganga emerged as another target with Sheffield United supposedly readying a bid to send to The Den according to The Star.

Dunne and Tanganga are both key men for QPR and Millwall, the former has made 29 Championship appearances this season and the latter has made 27. It's therefore a boost that transfer specialist Pete O'Rourke claims that Sheffield United have taken their transfer pursuit to another London outfit.

The Blades switch attention to Crystal Palace man

Taking to social media platform X on Deadline Day, O'Rourke wrote: "Sheffield United are in advanced talks to sign Crystal Palace defender Rob Holding on loan after being frustrated in their attempts to sign QPR defender Jimmy Dunne."

Speaking about the Blades' transfer plans last week, Wilder said: “We're after a centre-back, there's no doubt about it. We've made enquiries, we've made a bid for a player and going through that dance. But we've got alternatives under that.

“When all our players are fit and healthy, we had options off the bench before we lost two main actors in Ollie Arblaster and Harry Souttar. We were down two straight away. They were done straight away.

“So to get the numbers back up is amazing. Not surprising but the levels of intensity have gone up a notch so that benefits everyone. None of the players should shy away from that. We have to be as strong as the teams above us and below us.”

QPR head coach Marti Cifuentes had been asked about the transfer rumours surrounding Dunne earlier this month. Speaking after the defeat to Sheffield Wednesday, he said: "I don't have anything from the club perspective about it. Jimmy for me is a very important player, I know that he loves to be at QPR and loves the club, and we love him. We'll see what happens but he is a very important player for us."

In other news, Millwall are 'in talks' with Tottenham Hotspur over a swoop for a 'phenomenal' rising star in midfield.