Jamie Paterson: Swansea City reject third bid from Queens Park Rangers for forward

Jamie Paterson has not played since Swansea's defeat by Nottingham Forest on 11 December

Swansea City have rejected a third bid from Queens Park Rangers for unsettled forward Jamie Paterson.

Paterson is not training with Swansea's first team because he is unhappy with his contract situation.

Swansea turned down two offers from QPR for the 30-year-old last week.

Rangers have returned with an improved bid ahead of Monday night's transfer deadline, but it has been rejected because the London club are still well short of Swansea's valuation.

Blackburn Rovers, Bournemouth and Huddersfield Town have also been linked with Paterson.

Swansea are understood to have put a valuation of around £750,000 for a player who has been in impressive form this season.

Paterson has not featured in Swansea's past four games after telling Russell Martin he was not in the right frame of mind to play.

Speaking last Thursday, Swansea's head coach said there had been enquiries over the former Bristol City player.

"I think there has been a discussion or two - I think a few clubs chancing their arm, seeing if he is available for either no money or very little money, which is not the case because of how well he has done here and [the fact that] he is on an 18-month contract now," he said.

Paterson arrived in Wales on an initial one-year deal on the eve of the season having been released by the Robins at the end of the last campaign.

He has scored eight goals in 22 Swansea appearances, prompting the Championship club to trigger a one-year contract extension earlier this month.

Martin says Paterson will have "a big decision to make" should he remain at Swansea after Monday's 23:00 GMT deadline, when he could either come back into the fold or continue his first-team exile.

"I think now will be the time he has more options than in the summer if he has not played football for six months," Martin added.

"I think the dynamic changes completely, that is clear and obvious.

"There is a way back for Pato, the door is always open for him when he decides he is in the right frame of mind, once the window and the madness is shut if he is still here.

"We will sit down and have a chat about it and see what the best way forward is."

Martin is keen to add to his squad, with a left-wingback and a forward on his wishlist, but there is no guarantee that Swansea will make any more signings.

Out-of-favour midfielder Yan Dhanda has been tipped for a loan move, with DC United and Crewe Alexandra among the clubs interested, but he is not certain to leave.