A new transfer update has emerged regarding the near future of Queens Park Rangers’ much sought-after midfielder, Jonathan Varane.

According to West London Sport, the Hoops have turned down a recent bid from French club Saint-Étienne, however European interest in the 24-year-old remains strong as the winter transfer season continues.

Varane’s compatriot, Julien Stephan, has had a fascinating first half of the season in the Loftus Road dugout, with the Frenchman able to address what had been a troubling start to life for the former Stade Rennais and RC Strasbourg manager in W12 with a drive for the play-offs.

However, as has been the case with several Championship rivals, Rangers’ form has been largely inconsistent of late, and they are among a large clutch of sides that will still fancy their chances of securing a play-off berth if they can pick up a consistent run of results sooner rather than later, as well as have a successful second transfer window of the season between now and 7PM on Monday, February 2nd.

Stephan was able to sign 11 new players during his first transfer window in the summer, with Jamaican forward Rumarn Burrell standing out so far. However, he is currently sidelined until March after sustaining a ‘contact’ injury against Sheffield United on January 4th.

However, the 45-year-old was able to rectify his team’s defensive concerns and sign his long-term objective and former loan favourite from the second part of last season, 22-year-old centre-back Ronnie Edwards, who joined from Southampton for a reported £4.5 million last week.

In addition to their previous long-standing interest in Edwards, one transfer saga that dominated headlines last summer was whether the Hoops would be able to retain the services of Varane, who had an impressive first season in English football under former manager Marti Cifuentes after joining from Sporting Gijon in August 2024.

Despite the fact that his performance levels have divided opinion this season, there is still a lot of interest in the midfielder’s services, though the Championship side is clearly doing everything they can to turn down any offers.

Queens Park Rangers reject the latest Saint-Étienne transfer attempts for midfielder Jonathan Varane.

As previously stated, Varane has only lasted 18 months in West London after Rangers signed him for an initial £875,000 fee at the start of Cifuentes’ first complete season at Loftus Road before being sent on gardening leave in April and later joining Leicester City.

Varane, on the other hand, became a regular in the team last season and continued to receive great accolades from fans as the season went, despite initially taking some weeks to adjust to the English game.

Prior to Stephan’s appointment, La Liga side Espanyol made an initial £5 million proposal for his signature in early June 2025. While Rangers quickly rejected the offer, several teams across the continent attempted to woo the feisty midfielder away from the Hoops.

Other clubs that reportedly exhibited interest included Austrian outfit Rapid Vienna and Swiss Pro League winners FC Basel, with the two clubs also having bids rejected by Rangers, as well as initial overtures made by Saint-Ettiene, who are currently in Ligue 2.

Despite scoring his first goal for the London club in a 3-1 win over West Bromwich Albion on December 6th, Varane’s current season has been inconsistent, and he is also nursing a knee sprain, which caused him to be left out of Stephan’s matchday squad for Sunday’s 2-1 FA Cup third round defeat to West Ham United.

Beforehand, Saint-Étienne reignited their interest in signing the midfielder, offering a plan that comprised an initial loan sweep with the option of signing Varane permanently for £5.2 million in the summer.

However, Rangers quickly rejected the offer, and West London Sport claim that the condition was contingent on the French side recovering their Ligue 1 status, as they are now fourth in Ligue 2, seven points behind leaders Troyes.

According to the source, Greek Super League team AEK Athens is also preparing to make a move for Varane while the transfer speculation continues.

Queens Park Rangers have enormous bargaining power in the Jonathan Varane transfer controversy.

Rangers’ desire to keep Varane is not surprising, given that, while the midfielder has been inconsistent this season, last season served as a reminder of what he is completely capable of.

Of course, despite signing for less than £1 million in 2024, the aforementioned contract would result in a significant profit for the club. However, with a play-off bid on the line and Varane under contract in W12 until 2030, Rangers continue to have the most bargaining power in this transfer story.