Real Sociedad have opened talks with QPR over a permanent transfer for midfielder Esteban Granero.

The 26-year-old joined Rangers from Real Madrid for £6.5m in 2012, but failed to make an impact as they were relegated from the Premier League and was loaned out to Real Sociedad last season.

Granero made just five appearances for the LA Liga club due to sustaining a serious knee ligament injury, but that has not put them off from buying him.

Real Sociedad failed to qualify for Europe and are looking to strengthen their squad to avoid a repeat next term. They have already agreed a deal with Arsenal, who had a buy-back option, to keep striker Carlos Vela and handed him a contract until 2018.

Rangers won promotion back to the top flight via the play-offs last month and defender Nedum Onouha claimed that Granero told him he wants to return to Loftus Road and fight for a first team place.

Significantly, manager Harry Redknapp insisted he wanted to keep Granero, who has fully recovered from his knee problem, rather than loan him out to Sociedad last season.