Toon blow as QPR hijack £8m Remy switch with M'Vila also set to join Redknapp revolution





Queens Park Rangers have hijacked Loic Remy’s move to the Barclays Premier League and swooped to steal the France striker from under Newcastle United’s noses in an £8million move.

And Rangers boss Harry Redknapp is hoping to secure another £8million deal for Rennes midfielder Yann M'Vila, who is also believed to be on his way to Loftus Road in the next 24 hours.

The Premier League’s bottom club were given permission to talk to 26-year-old Remy after matching the fee Newcastle agreed to pay on Sunday night.

Done deal: Remy completed his move to QPR on Tuesday

It is understood Rangers offered double the wages Newcastle did to put together an £80,000-a-week package for Remy, who was Alan Pardew’s No 1 target following the sale of Demba Ba to Chelsea.

Newcastle had agreed to meet Marseille’s £8million valuation of Remy and he held talks with manager Pardew and director Derek Llambias.

After news of the deal was leaked by Marseille president Vincent Labrune over the weekend, QPR tabled their bid and they met Remy in London on Monday afternoon.

Remy had refused to talk to QPR last week but after Rangers owner Tony Fernandes matched Marseille’s valuation, the west London club were given official permission to negotiate a deal with the player who has played 17 times for France.

On the move: Yann M'Vila is also set to join Harry Redknapp's side

Former Newcastle - and current QPR - midfielder Joey Barton, who is on loan at Marseille, revealed Remy had had a change of heart. He tweeted: 'Just heard from a magician that Loic Remy has signed for QPR. Not sure what happened at Newcastle, Llambias again?’



He then added: 'Gift of the gab from Harry Redknapp perhaps? Thought it was done and dusted to Newcastle. Something must of gone amiss. Great news for #QPR.’



Marseille's sporting director Jose Anigo said Remy was in England talking to a 'number of clubs'.



Gift of the gab: Remy is just one of the high-profile targets Redknapp is hoping to bring to QPR

He told RTL television: 'We at OM reached an agreement with Newcastle, but we also talked with other English clubs.

'We gave them a working basis and it remains up to Loic to choose the club he prefers in terms of their structure or sporting plans.

'He is currently in England and is speaking with some clubs.

'Everyone talks about Newcastle, but it is not just Newcastle because he is talking with other clubs.

'We have to remain cautious. We have done our job and players and agents must do theirs. Nothing is done.

'QPR have deep pockets and a manager (Harry Redknapp) known in England to have a good reputation, so I do not think Loic has closed the door on QPR,' he said.

Big blow: Alan Pardew lined up Remy as a replacement for Demba Ba

News of Remy’s late defection to QPR is a huge blow to Newcastle and manager Pardew who is now more desperate than ever to find a high quality alternative to Remy as Ba’s replacement.



Paris Saint-Germain striker Mevlut Erdinc is the most obvious choice for Newcastle now.

Redknapp flew to France with his chief scout Ian Broomfield on Saturday night to see defensive midfielder M'Vila in action in Rennes’ 2-0 defeat by Bordeaux.

It is the second time Redknapp has tried to sign the 22-year-old France man after failing to land him as Spurs boss last season. And he has seen off competition from Reading and Fulham to secure his signature this time.

Tonight, meanwhile, the Rangers manager can expect a hostile reception from West Bromwich Albion fans at their FA Cup third-round replay after his public wooing of Hawthorns pair Jonas Olsson and Peter Odemwingie.





