Chelsea recruit may have big impact on QPR’s Jonathan Varane transfer decision

A Chelsea recruit might significantly influence QPR’s decision to sign Jonathan Varane.

The 2024–25 season wasn’t easy for QPR; after Marti Cifuentes was placed on gardening leave at the end of April, the side finished the season in 15th position in the Championship and essentially without a manager.

It appears like Julien Stephan will take his place at Loftus Road, and he will have a difficult task ahead of him to bring the R’s back in the running for the Championship’s top spot.

Varane was one of their standout players during the season. During an otherwise challenging season, the 23-year-old half-brother of former Manchester United and Real Madrid great Raphael had a respectable time in midfield. However, with other clubs beginning to show interest, it may not be entirely clear what will happen to him next.

Other clubs have become unwelcomely interested in Varane because of his performances.

The Martinique international has drawn a lot of interest from across the continent, and QPR’s determination will likely be put to the test this summer.

According to Darren Witcoop’s reports, Spain and Turkey have already expressed interest, with Espanyol having already submitted a bid of £4 million.

The midfielder recently signed a contract extension at Loftus Road in May, but there have also been rumors that he is linked to Saint-Étienne, a French team.

The decision Queens Park Rangers make on Varane, however, may depend on whether they believe a younger player could easily replace him.

Varane left the Spanish team Sporting Gijon to join QPR in August for an undisclosed sum, rumoured to be £875,000.

However, due to Varane’s previously indicated contract extension, Rangers are not required to sell despite the interest from other parties.

Therefore, it might depend on how Harvey Vale, another young talent, develops whether they decide to cash in on him now.

Vale joined Queens Park Rangers from Chelsea in February, but he hasn’t played in the League yet.

He has played for Hull City and Bristol Rovers on loan in the past, and he has earned caps for England at the Under-15, 16, 17, 19, and Under-20 levels, respectively.

Vale may fill Varane’s void in the starting lineup if he has improved to the point where he can start regularly for Rangers in the Championship. In that case, it might appear like the club should cash in on his teammate.

Although Vale didn’t play much in the 2024–25 campaign, his Bristol Rovers 2023–24 stats suggest that this is a possibility. Vale demonstrated his solid defensive play last season by managing 75 tackles in 39 games, compared to Varane’s 91 in 43 games for QPR.

When questioned about his preferred position in an interview with the team after joining in February 2025, Vale responded that he feels most at ease playing as an attacking midfielder: “In that attacking line is my best position, a ten position off the right or the left.”

Given how different they are as players, it is questionable at best if he and Varane could be regarded as a straight exchange. Compared to Vale, Varane is undoubtedly more defensive-minded.

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