QPR say Dunne remains in talks about new deal
QPR say discussions are ongoing with Jimmy Dunne about a new contract.
Rangers on Tuesday confirmed the departure of Kenneth Paal, whose contract also expires this summer.
But the club subsequently announced that talks are continuing with Dunne, Morgan Fox, Jack Colback and Lucas Andersen, whose deals are also about to expire.
Rangers tried to renew Dunne’s contract earlier in the season and blocked a move to Sheffield United during the January transfer window.
The Blades were keen to sign Dunne, who joined QPR from Burnley during the summer of 2021. United are now expected to look to sign him on a free transfer.
Keeping him would significantly boost Rangers’ chances of making an impact in the Championship next season – early punters can take advantage of soccer predictions crafted by the SportyTrader pros to place advised bets.
Santos on the way back
While the chances of Dunne staying appear to be slim, one player heading back to Loftus Road is Heverrton Santos.
Vitória SC have indicated that they will not be taking up an option to buy Santos.
He joined the Portuguese club on loan from QPR for the rest of the season and the deal included an option to buy him for around £1.7m.
He was shipped out after head coach Marti Cifuentes made it clear he preferred Harrison Ashby and that Santos was not part of his plans.
The Brazilian right-back joined Rangers from Estrela last summer but made only four Championship appearances before returning to Portugal.
Cook and Morrison provide continuity
Steve Cook will also be staying at QPR after his contract was extended by a year.
A new contract was dependent on appearances and Rangers not being relegated from the Championship.
The veteran defender has been out with a foot injury he initially suffered against Preston in December.
Cook has made 33 appearances this season and 69 in total since arriving in west London from Nottingham Forest.
The experienced centre-back re-signing will give Rangers some continuity ahead of a summer in which defensive reinforcements are likely to be needed, with Dunne looking set to leave and Ronnie Edwards returning to Southampton following an impressive loan spell.
Dunne’s contract is also about to expire and Rangers are still trying to persuade him to sign a new deal, having blocked a move to Sheffield United during the January window.
Meanwhile, Liam Morrison’s performances during Cook’s recent absence suggest he could make an impact next term.
The Scot has been hampered by injuries during his first season at the club but has impressed when he has featured.
“He’s doing really well. I’m very happy for him,” Cifuentes said prior to being placed on gardening leave.
“He was very unfortunate to pick up the injury when he did, not only because he was playing at a really high level but because we were missing other centre-halves.
“That was a moment when for sure we were missing him, and then when he came back other centre-halves were back and were ahead of him in terms of rhythm and match fitness.
“He has not put a foot wrong since he started playing again.”
