Sheffield United set for QPR transfer swoop after play-off heartbreak v Sunderland | OneFootball

Sheffield United are interested in QPR centre-half Jimmy Dunne as they begin their rebuild following their play-off heartbreak against Sunderland.

Sheffield United are targeting Queens Park Rangers defender Jimmy Dunne as they begin a rebuild following their heartbreaking play-off final defeat to Sunderland.

The Blades were beaten by a goal scored five minutes into stoppage-time at the end of their Championship play-off final against Sunderland on Saturday. It was the fifth time they've reached a play-off final and the fifth time they've lost one.

But there is no time to allow the dust to settle following such a loss, and it is now being reported that Blades manager Chris Wilder wants to target a defender that he has previously expressed interest in as he prepares to renovate his Sheffield United squad ahead of a second go at getting back into the Premier League.

Chris Wilder set to swoop for QPR's Jimmy Dunne after January interest

Journalist Alan Nixon has today reported that Sheffield United want to start their rebuild by bringing in QPR defender Jimmy Dunne to strengthen their defence.

FLW exclusively reported back in January that the Blades were moving for Dunne in the mid-season window, but it was later reported that they saw their efforts rejected, after a £2 million bid was turned down by the Hoops hierarchy.

However, the end of the season has now arrived and Dunne is out of contract at Loftus Road, with Wilder now reportedly keen to take the 27-year-old defender to Bramall Lane for next season, although it should be added that Rangers haven't published their retained list yet, despite having to submit it last week.

Jimmy Dunne could fill much-needed gap at right-back for Sheffield United

Although his team didn't have a very successful 2024/25 season, finishing the season in 15th place in the Championship, it was a good one for Dunne on a personal level.

Having signed a year's extension to his contract in 2024, he went on to be voted as the club's Player of the Season, also winning the Players' Player of the Year and retaining the Junior Hoops' Player of the Year. He also made his full international debut for the Republic of Ireland against Bulgaria in March.

Figures from FootyStats

Queens Park Rangers remain managerless, having dismissed Marti Cifuentes towards the end of the 2024/25 season. The Daily Mail have reported that Rangers are set to appoint former Norwich City manager Johannes Hoff Thorup as his replacement, although this remains unconfirmed - whoever takes charge though is unlikely to have Dunne in their ranks.

Having spent most of the 2024-25 season at right-back for QPR, this may be where Wilder sees Dunne's future too, and with Hamza Choudhury, Alfie Gilchrist and Harry Clarke's loans all expiring, there is a big gap in the squad planning for that position next season - Dunne could be the man to fill it.