Pages

Monday, December 18, 2006

Rejected: QPR's Loan Bid for Lassana Diarra from Chelsea

-
SKY SPORTS - QPR FAIL IN DIARRA LOAN BID
QPR FAIL IN DIARRA BID By Alex Dunn - 18 Dec 2006
QPR tried to sign Lassana Diarra on loan from Chelsea - but were knocked back because the midfielder wants to stay in the Premiership.
Rangers boss John Gregory already has Blues youngsters Jimmy Smith and Michael Mancienne on loan at Loftus Road, and made a move to add Diarra, 21.
But Gregory revealed: "We tried, but I don't think Diarra wants to play in the Championship. I think he will go on loan to another Premiership club [when the transfer window re-opens in January].
"I think Diarra feels he is better than that (playing in the Championship) - which he probably is. He is an outstanding young player
."
Gregory has agreed to extend the loan deal of midfielder Smith until the end of the campaign and is confident of achieving the same with defender Mancienne, who has excelled in recent matches.
Gregory added: "The signs with Michael are good. I believe (Chelsea boss) Jose Mourinho is very positive about our having Jimmy and Michael - SKY SPORTS

SPORTING LIFEQueens Park Rangers have failed in a bid to take Chelsea midfielder Lassana Diarra to Loftus Road.
The Championship side have already taken both Jimmy Smith and Michael Mancienne on-loan from the champions and had hoped to make Diarra their third temporary acquisition.
However, Rangers boss John Gregory is now willing to concede that the deal is dead in the water as Diarra is reticent to drop down a division, confident that he is ready for Premiership football.
"We tried, but I don't think Diarra wants to play in the Championship," said Gregory. "I think he will go on loan to another Premiership club [when the transfer window re-opens in January].
"I think Diarra feels he is better than that (playing in the Championship) - which he probably is. He is an outstanding young player."
Gregory has, though, secured the services of Smith until the end of the season and is confident that Mancienne will agree to a similar arrangement.
"The signs with Michael are good," added Gregory.
"I believe Jose Mourinho is very positive about our having Jimmy and Michael."
Sporting Life