St James' Park, Newcastle

Next Game

Newcastle v Arsenal

Sunday, 19 May 2013, 16:00

Barclays Prem

Loftus Road Stadium

Last Game

QPR 1 - 2 Newcastle

Sunday, 12 May 2013, 15:00

Barclays Prem

Remy lured by HR and 'project'

Loic Remy has denied snubbing Newcastle in favour of joining QPR because of the financial package offered by the Loftus Road club.

Last Updated: 18/01/13 at 11:50 Post Comment   

Loic Remy: Says he was lured to London by Redknapp

Loic Remy: Says he was lured to London by Redknapp

The France striker looked set to join the Magpies after manager Alan Pardew made what he described as a "fantastic offer", only to instead move to Rangers who are reported to have offered him £80,000 per week.

Newcastle great Alan Shearer expressed his surprise at Remy's decision and suggested that money was the motivating factor, but the £8million capture from Marseille revealed the influence of QPR manager Harry Redknapp was key.

"The finance doesn't come into it at all because Newcastle offered me a very good contract as well," Remy said.

"I've seen that a lot of people are surprised I came to QPR and say that I came here for money, but my decision was no way based on financial reasons.

"I could have stayed at Marseille because I had a good contract there. There are a number of reasons for why I had to leave Marseille for here.

"QPR were very open, they wanted me and it's great to be here.

"It's true that I hesitated between Newcastle and QPR. I went to meet the staff at Newcastle and there came a time to make a decision and I made that decision based on two factors.

"Firstly I already knew the coach Harry Redknapp and secondly, I'm very excited by the project QPR have here for the future.

"It's a big challenge and the team are in a difficult situation, but since Harry Redknapp has been here things have changed a great deal."

Redknapp said: "This is a good deal for the club.

"It's a big signing, a big transfer fee for this club but if you look around the Premier League, you see this sort of money being spent almost every week. I think we've got real good value. The price is good for a player of that quality.

"I don't think the club has spent a lot of money. Under Mark (Hughes) players came in on free transfers and were paid decent wages but I don't think you'll find the club has spent a lot on transfers."

Remy had met with Newcastle chiefs before his U-turn but Redknapp said he believed his history with the player, as well as assurances over his role in the side, were deciding factors.

"I spent four hours with him last season when we were looking to take him at Tottenham," the former White Hart Lane boss added. "We got on great so I thought we had a head start. He wanted to come to London.

"I said to him that I wanted him to play through the middle, whereas I think he felt he might have been playing in a wide position had he gone elsewhere."

Related News

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

I

m starting to think Roman may never actually be happy at the top level. If he wants all conquering fancy football I wonder if he'd be better off buying a lower division side then paying outlandish salaries to attract high caliber players too good for the division.

john matrix
The Most Unsatisfying European Victory...

R

afa has to be favourite for the Everton job now, surely :) He'll realise his ambition to live and work on Merseyside again, get the best out of whoever plays for them, maybe win some cups and be thoroughly loathed by the toffee fans. What's not to like? Go ead, Ken, gimajob!

captbusby
Benitez basks in final glory

T

hat is arguably the least inspiring England I have ever seen. There is not a single name in that list that makes me think I might actually want to watch this team. Not a one.

harry hotspur
Carroll back in England squad

Footer 365

Championship: Brighton launch dressing-room probe

Brighton have launched an investigation after excrement was found on the floor of the Crystal Palace dressing room.

Premier League: Stoke manager Tony Pulis says he is staying at Britannia

Tony Pulis has reiterated that he does not see himself leaving Stoke City this summer.

Allardyce keen to keep Carroll

Sam Allardyce has confirmed West Ham are keen to retain the services of on-loan striker Andy Carroll and is hopeful a deal can be finalised.

Mail Box

James Collins Is Only 29. Tough Paper Round

He is one of a number of solid shouts for players that look old before their time. We also have the final words on lovely D-Beck and a rejection of end of season playoffs...

Without Posh, Becks Could Have Been Scholes

That's one opinion, but others give their thanks to the man. We also have ideas for a relegation playoff, happy memories of the season and a defence of Liverpool's campaign...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved