Sheffield United transfer boost as QPR target not in matchday squad at Millwall after bid

Sheffield United have had hopes of signing QPR defender Jimmy Dunne before Deadline Day boosted by news that the 27-year-old is not in the QPR matchday squad to take on Millwall at The Den on Saturday afternoon.

The full-back had started every one of the R’s Championship games so far this season until today. QPR head coach Marti Cifuentes had said that Dunne would ‘probably’ be in the squad to take on the Lions, but the defender is absent.

QPR appear to have fielded a defence of Ronnie Edwards, Steve Cook, Morgan Fox and Kenneth Paal as they look to bounce back from a 2-0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday last weekend. Cifuentes is not at The Den this afternoon due to illness.

Marti Cifuentes not present at Millwall

A post from the official QPR social media account on X read: “Owing to illness, Martí Cifuentes has not travelled to The Den today after being assessed by the club’s doctor.

“In his absence, assistant head coach Xavi Calm takes charge of first-team affairs. Get well soon, Martí.”

Dunne is out of contract come the end of the season and has emerged as a target for the Blades, who are in need of defensive reinforcements following an injury to Harry Souttar. Sheffield United are pushing for promotion back to the Premier League and currently sit second in the Championship table.

The Blades boss Chris Wilder confirmed that a bid had been sent by the club and The Star claims that it has gone in the direction of Loftus Road with Dunne the top target at this stage. It had emerged this week that Sheffield United were also looking at a deal for Swansea City man Harry Darling, which had eased some QPR fears of losing Dunne.

The former Burnley man has become a fan favourite at Loftus Road thanks to his strong-willed displays and transition from centre-back to right-back. Dunne already has Premier League experience, thanks to his time at Turf Moor, making three top flight appearances and scoring against Leicester City.

Sheffield United in the market for defender

Speaking ahead of Deadline Day on Monday, 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 earlier this month. Speaking after the defeat to Sheffield Wednesday last weekend, 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."