French midfielder Jonathan Varane is ‘happy and committed’ to Sporting Gijon after Norwich City’s transfer window pursuit.

The 22-year-old was a player tracked by the Canaries, who viewed him as a mid to longer term option, with sporting director Ben Knapper weighing up potential defensive midfield options.

Varane and his camp were believed to be open to a move to England following discussions in the second half of the window.

City’s focus in the closing days switched to a striker shuffle that saw Sydney van Hooijdonk replace Celtic-bound Adam Idah.

La Liga promotion hopefuls Sporting see Varane as a key part of their top flight bid, with the clubs well apart in their valuation of the Frenchman.

Varane reportedly had a €10m release clause inserted in a longer term deal signed at the start of this season, but is currently a bit-part player under Miguel Ángel Ramírez.

The half-brother of French World Cup winner, Raphael, had been an unused substitute in five of his club's last seven games, prior to Monday night’s Segunda Division trip to Zaragoza.

“He is happy to stay and committed to staying here,” said Ramírez, quoted by La Nueva Espana. “Before expressing (publicly) what I said about him not being prepared to be at a higher level, I had that talk with him previously. We have spoken in recent days. He is happy here, calm, serene.

“He knows the change in his role in the squad, in terms of the competitive level in his position, and also in terms of our game model. That affects him directly, he understands it, he is working hard. But when he has come on, he did well.”

Varane’s game time for the rest of the season in Spain is likely to be a key factor in whether City renew their interest in the summer window.

The Canaries sanctioned a January exit for midfield duo Adam Forshaw and Przemyslaw Placheta, while Jacob Sorensen is one of a number of senior players out of contract at the end of the current Championship campaign.

Kenny McLean and Marcelino Nunez appear Wagner’s first choice central midfield duo at present.

Youngster Liam Gibbs remains a big part of the longer term Carrow Road blueprint under sporting director Knapper, despite limited minutes this season following an impressive breakthrough campaign at first team level.