Redknapp rings transfer changes at QPR

LONDON (AFP) –

Queens Park Rangers’ English manager Harry Redknapp gestures to players at the Boleyn Ground, Upton Park, in East London, on January 19, 2013. Redknapp may have warned of “gang warfare” between rival player agents but that hasn’t stopped the QPR manager living up to his “wheeler-dealer” reputation.

Harry Redknapp may have warned of “gang warfare” between rival player agents, but that hasn’t stopped the QPR manager living up to his “wheeler-dealer” reputation ahead of the closure of the January transfer window.

With just 24 hours left before Thursday’s deadline day, the Premier League basement club announced Wednesday they had signed South Korea full-back Yun Suk-Young on a three-and-half-year contract, with the west London club also eyeing a move for defender Christopher Samba.

The 22-year-old Yun, who played for the South Korea side that won bronze at last year’s Olympics, put pen to paper for an undisclosed fee from K-League outfit Chunnam Dragons, the west London club said on their website.

The left-back has been named in his country’s squad for a friendly match against Croatia at Fulham’s Craven Cottage ground next month.

Yun’s arrival coincides with the departure of defender Anton Ferdinand, whose loan move to Turkish side Bursaspor was announced on Tuesday.

The South Korean was the latest player to arrive at Loftus Road this window, following Loic Remy and Tal Ben Haim, and he will now link up with compatriot Park Ji-Sung, who joined before the season started from Manchester United.

Tuesday saw QPR hold champions Manchester City to a creditable goalless draw at Loftus Road, a result that saw them move to within four points of safety.

Afterwards Redknapp, renowned for his transfer acumen but who had previously bemoaned the conditions of “gang warfare” created by rival agents, insisted he was uncertain about whether he’d add to his squad before deadline day.

“We could get three or four (players). We could get none. None would leave us in trouble. We need a central defender, that’s for sure,” added Redknapp, who as well as releasing Ferdinand has seen New Zealand’s Ryan Nelsen leave QPR to become coach of MLS side Toronto.

“We are struggling a bit. We are desperately short,” Redknapp said.

“The chairman (Tony Fernandes) is dealing with it (the Samba deal) I don’t know where we are at with it.”

Stoke and England striker Peter Crouch, who has played for Redknapp at several clubs, is also thought to be a QPR target.

Wednesday also saw Liverpool sign Brazil midfielder Philippe Countinho from Inter Milan for a reported £8.5 million ($13.4 million).

The 20-year-old was the Merseysiders’ second signing of the window following the arrival at Anfield of former Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge.

Norwich announced they had completed a loan move for Sporting Kansas City striker Kai Kamara until May 6, subject to the Sierra Leone international receiving immigration clearance.

However, Everton’s move to bring Dutch midfielder Leroy Fer to Goodison Park collapsed after the Toffees, who had agreed terms with FC Twente, failed to renegotiate following a medical that raised concerns over the extent of the player’s knee injury.