QPR coup as Redknapp nears £16m double deal
WEST BROMWICH ALBION 0
QUEENS PARK RANGERS 1
QUEENS Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp confirmed he is poised to complete an audacious £16m double swoop for France stars Loic Remy and Yann M’Vila last night, after booking a place in the FA Cup fourth round.
The Hoops, who won at West Brom to set up a home tie with MK Dons, have beaten off competition from Newcastle to land Marseille’s Remy, who had a medical at the club yesterday, for around £8m.
Redknapp expects Rennes midfielder M’Vila, who attracted interest from Arsenal last summer, to follow his compatriot to Loftus Road for a similar fee, after persuading the 22-year-old to join the club’s bid to avoid relegation.
Signing Remy, 26, and M’Vila would represent a huge coup for the Premier League’s basement side, and even Redknapp admitted he was surprised to be on the brink of acquiring the sought-after duo.
“Remy had a medical today and the personal stuff is all sorted. I watched him so many times when I was at Tottenham. The fee then was around about £20m. He’s a good buy for us,” said Redknapp.
“It’s all done, all sorted. I didn’t think we’d get him. I went to see him at Marseille last week and he wasn’t keen but the chairman, Tony Fernandes, wouldn’t give up and the boy decided to come.
“He’s quick, a French international, his movement is excellent and he has the potential to be a real star in the Premier League.
“I also liked M’Vila when I was at Tottenham. He’s 22, played against England a couple of years ago for France, and was fantastic. Spurs offered £15m for him in August. The deal looks okay. M’Vila’s had a few off-the-field problems. If he behaves himself, and plays as we know he can, he’ll do well.”
M’Vila’s expected arrival could trigger a bid for QPR’s Cameroon midfielder Stephane Mbia from west London rivals Chelsea, according to reports in France.
The double signing would be a further boost to Redknapp’s hopes of steering Rangers clear of danger, after they extended their unbeaten streak in 2013 to four matches last night.
Striker Jay Bothroyd, making his first start of the season for the club following a loan spell, served Redknapp a timely reminder of his ability with the winner in the third round replay at West Brom.
Bothroyd’s 75th-minute header secured Rangers’ first cup win away from home since 2000, while goalkeeper Rob Green earlier kept the scoresheet blank with a superb save to deny West Brom’s Romelu Lukaku.