With scouting networks improving all the time and football more globalised than ever, it is perhaps no surprise to see Championship clubs cast their net further and wider in pursuit of new signings.
Middlesbrough have snapped up one of the biggest talents on the other side of the Atlantic with former Columbus Crew midfielder Aidan Morris following in the footsteps of Riley McGree.
Norwich City brought in a Panamanian centre-half from the Bulgarian league in Jose Cordoba. Ji-Sung Eom joins Swansea City from Korean football while West Bromwich Albion have a new defender in the shape of Swedish import Torbjorn Heggem.
As for Queens Park Rangers, well one can only assume the Loftus Road fanbase have found themselves spending quite a bit of time on Wikipedia in recent weeks.
It’s fair to say Zan Celar – the striker signed from FC Lugano – was hardly a household name in South London before putting pen to paper. The same can be said of former CF Estrela full-back Hevertton and ex-Gent goalkeeper Paul Nardi.
That could soon change, however, if Celar, Hevertton and Nardi prove to be excellent additions to Marti Cifuentes’ squad.
Queens Park Rangers close in on Jonathan Varane
Jonathan Varane, meanwhile, is set to become the latest player to end up in Britain from mainland Europe.
The 22-year-old Frenchman has spent the last two seasons in Spain with Sporting Gijon.
And while an agreement is yet to be officially finalised, QPR are still in pole position to make Varane their latest summer recruit. El Comercio report that the former RC Lens youngster has been offered a four-year contract at the capital city outfit.
Sporting Gijon reached an agreement in principle with QPR on Wednesday night, La Nueva Espana add.
Varane was, as a result, left out of the squad for the 0-0 friendly draw with Portuguese outfit Ponferradina, having seemingly played his final game in red and white stripes.
The next time he takes to the pitch, the half-brother of former Manchester United and Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane should be wearing blue and white Hoops.
Varane was heavily linked with QPR’s Championship rivals Norwich City in January.
Deal could be done for £1.2 million
Former Sporting coach Miguel Angel Ramirez has a history when it comes to helping young players realise their potential – he worked with Ecuadorian trio Moises Caicedo, Piero Hincapie and William Pacho before they ended up at Chelsea, Bayer Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankfurt – and he said back in the winter that Varane still has a lot to learn before he can follow in their footsteps.
Six months on, however, the time appears to have come for Varane to depart.
“I had a conversation with Varane,” Ramirez told La Voz de Asturias. “I have examples, especially from Independiente del Valle, of players who debuted with me and I felt who was ready and who wasn’t. Now, they are in the Bundesliga or the Premier League.
“I sincerely believe that Jonathan is not ready yet. He is in his training process.
“(But) he is doing well. He is participating and being important. I believe that he needs patience, work and to have minutes. And whatever he decides, whether he listens to me or not, is his decision.
“What happens later, I understand will be the decision of the club and Jonathan.”
Varane is expected to cost Queens Park Rangers around £1.2 million.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
