Remy deal close, says Redknapp

LONDON (AFP) –

Marseille’s French striker Loic Remy celebrates after scoring a goal on March 20, 2012 at the Michel D’Ornano Stadium in Caen. Queens Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp confirmed on Tuesday that his club are close to signing Remy and are also interested in Rennes midfielder Yann M’Vila.

Queens Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp confirmed on Tuesday that his club are close to signing Marseille striker Loic Remy and are also interested in Rennes midfielder Yann M’Vila.

Redknapp previously scouted Remy during his time as Tottenham Hotspur manager and says the France international could complete a move to QPR on Wednesday after undergoing a medical examination on Monday.

The fee for the transfer is reported to be around £8 million ($12.8 million, 9.6 million euros).

“Remy had a medical today (Tuesday) and the personal stuff is all sorted,” said Redknapp after his side’s 1-0 win at West Bromwich Albion in the FA Cup.

“I watched him so many times when I was at Tottenham. The fee then was around about £20 million. He’s a good buy for us.

“It’s all done, all sorted. I didn’t think we’d get him. I went to see him at Marseille last week and he wasn’t keen but the chairman Tony Fernandes worked ever so hard. He wouldn’t give up and the boy decided to come.

“He’s quick, a French international, his movement is excellent, and he has the potential to be a real star in the Premier League.

“Newcastle United wanted him and (Newcastle chief scout) Graham Carr doesn’t make too many mistakes. Graham’s got good judgement.”

Redknapp also said that he hoped to complete a move for Remy’s France team-mate M’Vila in the next few days, amid reports of a fee in the region of £7 million.

“I also liked M’Vila when I was at Tottenham,” he said.

“He’s 22, played against England a couple of years ago for France, and was fantastic.

“They (Rennes) turned down £28 million from an English club for him a year ago. Spurs offered £15 million for him in August. The deal looks OK.

“M’Vila’s had a few off-the-field problems. If he behaves himself, and plays as we know he can, he’ll do well.”

M’Vila was a member of France’s Euro 2012 squad but he has been banned from international football until June 2014 after breaking a curfew to visit a Paris night club while on duty with France Under-21s last October.