QPR have reportedly missed out on Metz defender Ivan Balliu.
Ivan Balliu in action for Arouca
According to French newspaper L’Equipe, Metz full back Ivan Balliu has rejected Queens Park Rangers in order to stay with the French side.
Balliu, 25, is a product of Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy having joined the club from Girona at the age of just 12 back in 2004, and he progressed up to becoming an important player for the Barcelona B team.
Ivan Balliu in action for Arouca
The right back ultimately left in 2013 in order to pursue first-team football with Arouca in Portugal, making 65 appearances for the club before moving on again in 2015.
Balliu joined French side Metz, and after helping the club achieve promotion in 2016, he played a key role in their Ligue 1 season, notching five assists in 27 appearances.
Ivan Balliu in action for Arouca
Now, L’Equipe report that Metz – who finished 14th in the Ligue 1 table – have made a considerable financial offer to Balliu in order to keep him at the club, given that his contract was expiring this summer.
The report notes that Balliu rejected an offer from Queens Park Rangers, as well as approaches from Real Betis, Stuttgart, Rennes and Benfica in order to stay with Metz for the foreseeable future.
Ivan Balliu in action for Arouca against Porto
Balliu would have been something of a surprise signing for QPR, but they may have felt that he would been a bargain option at right back, where he could have provided competition for Darnell Furlong and James Perch.
Instead, Balliu has chosen to stay in France, and leaves QPR going back to the drawing board if they still intend to sign a new right back this summer.
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