Get the FREE Mirror Football newsletter by email with the day's key headlines and transfer news Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

By John Cross

Harry Redknapp has made a £5million bid for West Brom’s Swedish defender Jonas Olsson.

Queens Park Rangers manager Redknapp is desperate to strengthen his defence to help the West London club’s battle against relegation and has taken a shine to Olsson, whose outstanding form this season has also seen him watched by Arsenal.

QPR believe they have a chance of getting the 29-year-old centre-half, who will be subject to a £4m buy-out clause in the summer.

Redknapp hopes West Brom will decide to cash in now, rather than have to take a smaller fee at the end of the season.

Olsson is believed to fancy a move to London.

Rock-bottom Rangers' defence are set to lose one centre-half, Ryan Nelsen, as he's returning to Major League Soccer to manage Toronto FC.

Redknapp has also made an enquiry to former club Tottenham about French veteran William Gallas.

He is a big admirer of the ex-Chelsea and Arsenal defender, having worked with him at White Hart Lane.

But persuading Olsson to swap West Brom’s attempts to grab a place in Europe for a battle to beat the drop at Loftus Road would be a major coup.

Rangers are anxious to shake up the squad but Redknapp must work to a tight budget to make sure they avoid financial meltdown if they do go down to the Championship.

With Bobby Zamora and Andy Johnson still out injured, Rangers need a new striker.

A move for Loic Remy has fallen through, as the Marseille striker is now believed to be negotiating a move to Newcastle.

The arrival of any new forward could see Djibril Cisse heading out- he is a target for Lille.

No doubting Thomas is staying

By Bill Cooper

Jerome Thomas has snubbed a return to Leeds to try to win a long-term future with West Brom.

Elland Road boss Neil Warnock was keen to re-sign the winger, 29, for a second loan stint but Thomas is staying with

the Baggies.

Boss Steve Clarke gave Thomas his first Albion start of the season in the 1-1 draw with QPR in the FA Cup last Saturday and wants to hang on to him after losing Zoltan Gera for the rest of the season with ruptured knee ligaments.

And Thomas, whose contract runs out in June, admitted: “Extending my loan was never really an option. It was always just a case of going out and getting some games.

“I am fully focused on West Brom and until I hear anything different that will stay the case.

“I have still got another six months on my contract, and that is a chance for me to help the club push on.

“I am happy and have been for a few years, so I have no plans to move.”