Eight days remain until Queens Park Rangers’ Championship opener against West Bromwich Albion at Loftus Road.
With time running out in both QPR’s pre-season preparations and the transfer window, head coach Marti Cifuentes emphasizes the need for further acquisitions.
QPR has already signed striker Zan Celar from FC Lugano, right-back Hevertton from CF Estrela, center-half Liam Morrison from Bayern Munich, and goalkeeper Paul Nardi from Gent. However, Cifuentes points out that the squad still has weak spots.
“When you look at the acquisitions that we’ve made, they are in the middle or the back line,” Cifuentes told West London Sport. “Hevertton is a right full-back, but we are using him as a right winger because that’s where we are. We need more there and hopefully, we can keep improving as well. We’ve got the players we’ve got, so I’m trying to get the best of all of them. I have a clear idea (of what is needed) and the club knows very well my idea. I am aware that we are trying to work and that’s where we are.”
Queens Park Rangers are close to signing Jonathan Varane.
Despite Cifuentes’ focus on forwards and wide players, the ongoing interest in Varane may come as a surprise. Varane, the half-brother of Raphael Varane, is reportedly set to join QPR for around £1.2 million on a four-year contract, according to El Comercio. He was left out of Sporting Gijon’s friendly with Ponferradina, and El Comercio reports that Varane has bid farewell to his teammates.
David Guerra, Sporting Gijon’s CEO, confirmed the deal is progressing, saying, “There is one month left (in the window) and we have a clear path. We have made progress (in the Varane transfer). There are still some details to be resolved. He is a very professional player. He came to the club and contributed to us. He took on a lot of responsibility at a very difficult time.”
Varane, 22, moved to Sporting from RC Lens and played 25 games last season. At QPR, he will compete for a starting spot with players like Sam Field, Jack Colback, and Elijah Dixon-Bonner.
QPR finished 18th in the Championship last season, but after hiring Cifuentes in October, they won more games than they lost. If they maintain this momentum, a top-half finish could be achievable in the new campaign.