"He was a monster" - QPR told which player they cannot sell - he would be hard to replace | OneFootball

FLW's QPR fan pundit believes that Jonathan Varane needs to remain at Loftus Road despite bids this summer

This article is part of Football League World’s ‘Terrace Talk‘ series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

It took him a while to properly kickstart life in West London, but Jonathan Varane proved towards the end of the season that he was one of the best defensive midfielders in the Championship.

The Frenchman arrived at QPR last summer following a couple of seasons in the Spanish second division with Sporting Gijon for a small £875,000 fee. Now, the Hoops are fending off bids of up to £5 million from top-flight sides for the 23-year-old.

Julien Stephan's side are having an incredibly promising transfer window this summer ahead of their 11th consecutive season in the Championship, but if QPR are to really stamp their play-off credentials this season, retaining someone like Varane will be key in doing so.

Louis Moir, FLW's QPR fan pundit, believes that his side can't afford to lose the midfielder this summer, not only because he is integral to the Hoops, but also because he has the potential to at least double his price tag if he continues to grow as much as he did towards the back end of last season.

QPR fan pundit urges for at least one more season for Jonathan Varane at Loftus Road

"In terms of the way he's developed for the most part of last season, his first in England, Jonathan Varane is gaining a lot of interest," Moir told Football League World.

"The beginning of last season wasn't ideal. He was obviously learning and fitting in, but the way he's transformed and developed so quickly, he was a monster in games.

"The final game of last season, Sunderland away, he was the best player on the pitch, and we can't afford to lose him this summer," he said.

Moir referenced the £5 million bid from La Liga side Espanyol earlier in the transfer window, which QPR rejected. He sees this as a positive and believes that if Varane can continue his rich vein of form from the end of last season into the upcoming campaign, he could be worth even more.

"If he was to kick on again and really become consistent for the most part of the season, he could be worth serious money, and I think [this summer] we simply cannot afford [to lose him.]

"Obviously, if offers come in which we can't say no to, then it'll be hard not to sell, but realistically, after a year, I didn't think these bids would come in.

"So I truly believe that if he shows more of what he's about, then it'll be tough to keep him next season."

"He's so dominant" - Fan pundit feels QPR would find it hard to replace Jonathan Varane this summer

If a big bid comes in, though, it may be difficult for QPR to say no, and the reality of selling Jonathan Varane this summer could settle in before September 1st's deadline.

Moir believes that it will be incredibly tough to replace him this summer, saying: "He's still very young with big potential, and he's a top, top player.

"If he were to go after one season, then that's a big gap we'd need to fill in the midfield, and it'd be tough to replace him because he's so dominant in there.

"Fingers crossed that no bids come in where we can't say no, and fingers crossed we can see him play for one more season, but with the way modern football is now, you buy players for cheap and sell them on - it's the way you move on."

It does seem that Moir is resigned to losing Varane this time next year, and despite wanting him to stay further on into the future, he understands that the sheer profit which could be made on the 23-year-old will be difficult to turn down in a season or so, especially if QPR remain in the second tier.

"The perfect situation would be that we'd keep him for longer than next season, but if he does well, and we get big money for him, then that would be very beneficial for the club, moving forward."