Toni Leistner could end up staying at QPR despite being surplus to requirements Loftus Road.
West London Sport reported last month that Rangers were looking to offload the German after he had fallen out of favour under new boss Mark Warburton.
Leistner was captain under Steve McClaren but has been overlooked by Warburton, who has dropped him and instead installed Grant Hall as skipper.
However, it is understood that Rangers first want to sign another centre-back before parting with Leistner – and Aberdeen’s refusal to part with Scott McKenna means the former Union Berlin man is likely to stay put.
Scotland international McKenna has handed in a transfer request amid interest from QPR and Nottingham Forest.
But the request has been refused and Aberdeen are determined to hold onto their star man ahead of Thursday’s deadline.
Dons boss Derek McInnes has made it clear the club will not sell McKenna on the cheap.
“There was a fresh offer. I don’t know if there was a written offer from Nottingham Forest but there certainly was from QPR on Friday – but clearly it was not enough,” McInnes told the Daily Record last week.
“It was a slight increase and it was structured in a certain way but it was not enough for the club to accept.
“It’s up to the buying club to make my chairman think differently but as it stands Scott will remain with us.”