Harry's busy as transfer deadline looms
QPR appear to be the busiest Barclays Premier League club as the transfer deadline approaches, confirming the signing of South Korea full-back Yun Suk-young on a three-and-a-half year contract and closing in on defender Christopher Samba.
Yun, who was part of the South Korea squad that won bronze at the London Olympic last summer, joins the Rs from K-League side Chunnam Dragons for an undisclosed fee.
The 22-year-old has been granted a work permit and will be eligible to play for the Hoops when he is granted a visa.
Yun joins fellow January acquisitions Loic Remy and Tal Ben Haim at Loftus Road, where he will also link up with countryman Park Ji-sung.
QPR boss Harry Redknapp has also made a move to sign Anzhi Makhachkala defender Samba after the Rs triggered the release clause in his contract, Press Association Sport understands.
The 28-year-old has been with the Russian Premier League side for less than a year, having joined them from Blackburn last February.
Samba could now be on his way back to the Premier League as it is understood QPR have met Anzhi’s release clause, with a reported £10million fee needed to prise Samba away from the Russian club.
The Congolese defender’s arrival would go some way to bolstering a defence that is short on options after QPR loaned Anton Ferdinand to Bursaspor earlier this week and are planning for life without Ryan Nelsen.
The New Zealander, one of their star players in an otherwise poor campaign, is set to leave the Rs on February 1 to become head coach of Toronto FC.
Redknapp said: “We are struggling a bit. We lose Ryan Nelsen now and I haven’t got a replacement.
“We are desperately short. The chairman (Tony Fernandes) is dealing with it (the Samba deal) I don’t know where we are at with it.
“He (Fernandes) asked me about a week ago if I would be interested if he could get me Samba and I said, ’Of course, he is a fantastic competitor’.”
Peter Crouch and Etienne Capoue are among those also believed to be on QPR’s radar ahead of tomorrow’s deadline.
Meanwhile, Birmingham are yet to receive a formal offer from Chelsea for England goalkeeper Jack Butland, Press Association Sport understands.
Contrary to some reports which suggest the npower Championship club have accepted a bid in the region of £3.5million, Birmingham have only fielded strong interest amid discussions with the European champions and no bid has been tabled.
Whether that does come ahead of tomorrow night’s transfer deadline remains to be seen but it is also understood Butland, 19, is not keen on a move to a club where he would not be playing regular first-team football as he looks to continue his development.
