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MIRROR - Telly vision: Redknapp happy to spend to keep QPR on the Prem's gravy train
16 Jan 2013 22:30
New TV deal worth a staggering £3billion that kicks in next season causes Hoops manager to contradict himself in his battle to avoid relegation
'The difference is THIS big!' Redknapp knows relegation will cost QPR a fortune 'The difference is THIS big!' Redknapp knows relegation will cost QPR a fortune
Harry Redknapp believes the riches of the Premier League's monster new televevision deal justify Queens Park Rangers' £8million club-record signing of striker Loic Remy.
And midfielder Yann M'Vila is set to send rock-bottom Rangers' January spending rocketing to £15million if he completes a proposed £7million switch from Rennes this week.
With these two deals, Redknapp appears to have contradicted himself.
He claimed last month, soon after succeeding Mark Hughes at Loftus Road, that many of the Hoops' players were on too much money for a club with a maximum gate of just 18,000.
Redknapp also warned that he did not "want to see the owners have their pants taken down like they have in the past."
But now the Hoops boss believes the £3billion TV deal which kicks in next season means relegation in May simply is not an option.
He insisted: "You've got to try. The reward for staying up is so big. In the summer this club brought in players on big wages but didn't pay big transfer fees for anyone.
"But look at Southampton, they paid £12m and £6m for two players in the summer."
Saints have offset the massive outlay on wages at Rangers by recruiting midfielder Gaston Ramirez from Bologna and forward Jay Rodriguez from Barnsley for a total outlay of £18million.
West Ham, meanwhile, are lavishing £100,000-a-week in wages on loanee Liverpool striker Andy Carroll - with £18m to pay to the Reds next summer.
They are also paying big wages to striker Marouane Chamakh, who they are borrowing from Arsenal for the rest of the season, and free transfer Joe Cole.
Another team in the bottom half, Sunderland, spent £22m on two players - Steven Fletcher and Adam Johnson - last summer, and reinforcements already beginning to arrive at the Stadium of Light this month.
Is Remy the man to save QPR from trips to Barnsley and Millwall? Click here to check out our scouting report.
Redknapp, who saw his side beat West Brom on Tuesday to set up an FA Cup fourth round tie at home to League One side MK Dons, added: "Clubs spend money and I don't think we've overspent in terms of transfers.
"But they've [QPR] paid some decent wages for three or four players, that's the problem.
"Most of those lads [that played against West Brom] aren't earning big money. There is a big discrepancy.
"Some are getting 10 grand, and some miles more. That is the problem."
Redknapp revealed he persuaded 22-year-old M'Vila - who has 22 caps for France - to join by insisting the midfielder could use Loftus Road as a stepping stone to bigger things in the Premier League.
He said: "I had to make him feel he is wanted. That he would come here and be a big player and that if in two years he does well in QPR - and shows what he is capable of doing - maybe a Manchester United, Arsenal or a Chelsea will come in.
"If that's what he is looking for, fair enough. But he has the chance to come here now, put himself on the stage, show us what he can do.
"If he does well here, and we can build a good team in the next few years and stay in the Premier League, hopefully he will stay with us. If not, at least he will put himself on the stage."
Asked about interest in the player from Arsenal and Spurs, Redknapp added: "They made offers for him. I promise you that.
"An offer was made of £28m. I won't say by who but it was an English club. I think Spurs offered £15m in August and that got turned down. I like him."
Remy, who will wear the number 18 shirt, said: "Harry played a big part in me coming here. I spoke to him and Tony Fernandes at length and they made it clear they wanted me here. They gave me the right motivation to join QPR.
"I want to develop my game here. This season the objective is to stay up but beyond that we have greater objectives.
"I am confident I can adapt to the Premier League. My main characteristics have taken me to the level I am at today but I am keen to keep improving in the Premier League."
Baggies duo Peter Odemwingie and Jonas Olsson remain in Redknapp's sights, while the Rangers boss revealed he is also fielding bids for many of his flops as he looks to trim the wage bill.
He insisted: "I've had offers for about four of the players who have played against West Brom on Tuesday night.
"My phone has been going all day, people making awful offers!"
Redknapp is set to continue his revamp by allowing striker Djibril Cisse to leave and bringing in Jake Livermore, the rising star of Spurs' midfield.
He went on: "If we get an offer for Djibril, he can go, yes. I think he is looking to move on and play.
"With Jake, I'd like to take him on loan. We are close to agreeing that one. It's another possibility. I know him very well. I'm a big fan of his. He will do well for us. I'm still looking to bring a couple in but really looking for some loans.
"I've got one or two loan deals in the fire, and that would do us. We just need to a bit more quality to the squad, that's what you are looking for, really."
However, Redknapp's hopes of getting Livermore may have been dented by Tottenham's Wednesday announcement that midfielder Sandro has had knee surgery - ironically, after being injured playing against QPR last weekend. Mirror
