Tag Archives: Queens Park Rangers

QPR close in on double signing

News is emerging today on VI.nl that QPR are closing in on the signings of Leroy Fer and Kolbeinn Sigthorsson, both of whom would be decent additions to an already talented squad. It’s clear Harry Redknapp is continuing to use his wide range of players to get value for money in the transfer market, something that QPR failed to do last time they were in the Premier League. Marc Overmars told VI.nl that they are close to an agreement with the London based side for their Icelandic striker, while the website also confirmed that a fee had been agreed for the Norwich midfielder, who impressed in the Premier League last season writes Jacob Jackman.

Last season for Norwich, Leroy Fer was one of the standout players, showing his capabilities in both halves of the pitch as he played a box to box role for the Canaries. Although he only scored three goals, Norwich were a team which struggled to fine the net, which makes his tally a little more impressive. QPR will benefit from the Dutch international’s energy in the middle of the park and his talent for playing defence splitting through balls will be welcomed as they need more creativity in their side.

The fee for Fer is believed to be around €6m, which will prove to be a snip for QPR as he is still only 24 and has the talent to move to a bigger club in the future if he continues to progress. It is also a deal which lacks risk as the club know the Norwich player can shine in the Premier League. Although there were some reports that linked Fer with a move to Southampton, it appears that the transfer to QPR will be wrapped up in the coming days, making any movements to hijack the deal unlikely. Harry Redknapp told Sky Sports News today that Fer is one of the club’s main targets, when a manager talks openly about an incoming transfer, it normally indicates a deal is close to being completed.

Meanwhile, Marc Overmars has told VI.nl “I have had some good talks with QPR over Kolbeinn. We are pretty close to each other regarding the transfer fee, but the player’s demands are obviously important as well. I think QPR is a good opportunity for Kolbeinn. Just look at how Wilfried Bony fares in the Premier League. He has already caught the attention of some major clubs after just one year in England.”

Kolbeinn Sigthorsson has been targeted to add more goals to a QPR front line which was too dependent on Charlie Austin last season, who is untested at the highest level. The Ajax striker has impressed in the Eredivisie, scoring 39 goals in 91 league matches for Ajax and AZ combined, while he has 15 in 23 caps for Iceland, showing that he is a prolific goalscorer. He is a complete forward, capable of scoring all kinds of goal, and he can also play well with his feet, as you would expect from an Ajax player. Some have compared him with compatriot Eider Gudjohnson and they aren’t inaccurate, QPR will be getting a very talented player. The fee is believed to be around £5m, which could prove to be one of the moves of the summer.

If QPR manage to complete these two deals, it could be seen as a coup for a promoted side, but the London club have a good squad and a manager who is respected around the world, they have the perfect set up to attract players. They should be able to deal with the top flight better this time around and these two will become key parts of the side, if as expected, they join the squad at Loftus Road. Both players could go onto greater things in the game and will need to be consistent performers for QPR to attract bigger clubs. Although this may be seen as a negative reason to move to a new club, it is better for a side like QPR to recruit hungry young players than players who are only interested in a big pay day. That was their fault last time.

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Redknapp keen as QPR look to Van der Vaart

QPR have been linked with a move for Hamburg’s Rafael van der Vaart. The R’s manager, Harry Redknapp, coached the Dutch man during his time at Tottenham Hotspur and would like to rekindle the partnership as Redknapp aims to keep his team in the top flight following a successful campaign last year that resulted in promotion.

Redknapp has spoken about the London-based clubs need for six signings during the current transfer window, and the manager at Loftus Road has a history of signing players that previously worked with him – this theory only strengthened by the signing of former West Ham player Rio Ferdinand just last week.

Van der Vaart, signed with Hamburg in the Bundesliga, following a two year stint with Tottenham Hotspur under the guidance of Redknapp. There were tumultuous spells between the manager and the midfielder when the latter complained publicly about being made play on the right wing. Redknapp responded by dropping the former Dutch international and claiming that van der Vaart needed to concentrate on his fitness.

It is unknown how much Hamburg would try to extrapolate from the sale of their club captain, who has appeared for the club 172 during two spells with the club. The 31-year-old cost €13 million when purchased in 2012, but given his age and the fact that Hamburg struggled desperately last year might mean that they are willing to move in another direction. The former Dutch international has one year left to run on his contract.

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QPR target Sigthórsson is “close to transfer”

Kolbeinn Sigthórsson is leaving Eredivisie champions Ajax after having spent three seasons in Amsterdam. Head coach Frank de Boer earlier today stated that “Sigthórsson is close to transfer” and is set to leave to Amsterdam club writes Alex Pieter.

He is set to join English side Queens Park Rangers for a reported fee of £5m. The striker duties in Amsterdam are now the responsibility of new signings Arkadiusz Milik and Ricardo Zivkovic.

Sigthórsson’s time in Amsterdam can best be described as tumultuous. The Icelander never really developed into the player Ajax hoped he would when they bought him from AZ Alkmaar in 2011 for €4.5m. A large part of this was due to Sigthórsson’s inability to stay healthy. He suffered a series of injuries while at Ajax and was rarely in peak fitness or form. When he was, he showed brief flashes of his true potential. However, Sigthórsson did have a knack for scoring important goals for Ajax. This past season he managed 10 goals in 30 league appearances and many of those coming at vital times.

Sigthórsson’s biggest problem in Amsterdam was that he never had the attributes of a classic Ajax number nine. Sigthórsson is at his best when he is receiving a steady diet of crosses, something Ajax, traditionally, is not keen on doing.

For one, Sigthórsson struggles to create for himself and often needs his chances served to him on a silver platter in order to deliver. He is very average on the ball and lacks pace, which can be attributed to his long injury history, particularly his fractured ankle in the 2011-2012 season.

Frank de Boer tried him on the wing this year with very limited success, so versatility is another issue for Sigthórsson, as he is best as a lone or paired striker. His finishing is very inconsistent, something that must improve if he is to succeed at QPR.

Sigthórsson also has a bit of a “clutch factor” about him. It seemed this past year when Ajax was truly in need of a goal Sigthórsson was someone they could turn to, and many times he delivered. For example, he scored a huge goal in de Klassieker against Feyenoord which levelled the score 1-1, Ajax would go on to win 2-1. Another example is when he scored the lone goal in the first match back from the winter pause, to give Ajax an important three points against PSV.

For all of Sigthórsson’s shortcomings, he is still a very solid player. It may be that the Icelandic international just needs a change of scenery and a club that plays a style for suited to his strengths. A capable passer, Sigthórsson is also a physical attacker, standing at 6’3 he is a force to be reckoned with through the air.

If he is able to stay healthy, get quality service and fit into the QPR system he could end up being a very solid investment for the Premier League club.

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QPR agree to sign Ajax striker

QPR have agreed to sign Icelandic footballer, Kolbeinn Sigthórsson, from Ajax. The fee believed to be in the region of £5 million for the 24 year old. It is believed that Harry Redknapp has offered  Sigthórsson a contract and is waiting to hear back from him.

Sigthórsson has played for Ajax since signing from AZ Alkmaar in the summer of 2011, and has appeared for the club 59 times scoring 24 goals during that span. The Icelandic international has also played for his country 23 times scoring 15 goals.

Earlier in his career, there was talk of interest from Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid, but an ankle injury in 2011 slowed down his progress. What QPR will be receiving in the deal is an out-and-out goalscorer with speed, skill and strength that will certainly stand to him in the England’s Premier League.

Ajax also lost another striker, their club captain, Siem de Jong to Newcastle earlier in the transfer window. Although the Amsterdam-based club are not unfamiliar to losing their star players, the loss of two of their star strikers during a hectic summer window will be tough. The two men accounted for 17 goals between them last season, with only Davy Klaassen equalling Sigthórsson 10 goal haul.

Ajax manager Frank de Boer coach did state last season that teams should keep away from Klaassen and Joel Veltman, expecting them to be the targets of plenty of transfer attention, he never mentioned de Jong or Sigthórsson and it appears teams heeded his warning.

While not being technically gifted, the man who is set to become Harry Redknapp’s latest signing has quite a good eye for goal and is an excellent finisher. He would be joining at team that still boasts Loic Remy, Charlie Austin, Junior Hoilett and Bobby Zamora and Kevin Doyle, although Zamora is still to sign a new contract with the club and Remy has been linked heavily with a move away. QPR were relegated, having finished last, during the 2012/13 campaign of the English Premier League with the least amount of goals scored, a paltry 30, which was 13 goals behind their closest rivals.

Sigthórsson would be looking to follow the success of his countryman, Eidur Gudjohnsen, who excelled during his time with Chelsea, and the comparisons will not be slow to roll in. A move for Sigthórsson to a different league at this point of his career might be good thing and if he can hit the ground running, QPR fans will be signing his name from the terraces in no time at all.

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Park Ji-Sung returns to PSV

Park Ji-Sung has made a return to PSV Eindhoven on loan from English Championship side Queens Park Rangers, they are still awaiting a work permit to be issued.

Voetbal International reported on Tuesday that although PSV wanted to acquire the Korean midfielder on a full transfer, they had to opt for a loan as the Eindhoven side is unable to afford Park’s high salary.

The 32-year-old had previously spent three seasons with PSV Eindhoven from January 2003 under the leadership of Guus Hiddink. The legendary coach signed him after both played crucial roles in taking South Korea on their exceptional run to the semi-finals of the 2002 World Cup. In Eindhoven, Park won two Eredivisie titles and reached the Champions League semi-finals. He then transferred to England with Manchester United in July 2005.

PSV coach Phillip Cocu, 43, who played for PSV with Park during the team’s golden age and in an interview with local media, he expressed high hopes for Park. Cocu described him as a versatile player who can slot into numerous positions from midfield to attack, and whose vast experience will be of much use to PSV’s cache of young players.

Back in England, he will pleased to leave the London club after having initially been named as QPR captain, he was then stripped of the armband after a series of niggling injuries and the appointment of Harry Redknapp as manager.

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