QPR set for summer swoop for former Arsenal striker
Published:
QPR manager Harry Redknapp cemented his status as a deadline day wheeler dealer by ensuring the Hoops were one of the busiest clubs as the transfer window slammed shut on Friday night.
Rangers matched Fulham and Crystal Palace in bringing in five names before the deadline but as ever Redknapp already has one eye on his summer spending plans.
After losing 14-goal forward Charlie Austin to injury the former West Ham, Portsmouth and Tottenham boss set about bringing new striking options to Loftus Road and added no fewer than four attackers to his squad.
However, despite seeing debutants Modibo Maiga and Kevin Doyle open their accounts at the first time of asking, Redknapp will move for former Arsenal star Eduardo in the summer.
Maiga and Doyle, who arrived from West Ham and Wolves respectively, are just loan signings and while both scored in the weekend’s 3-3 draw with Burnley neither is likely to secure a permanent move, especially if ‘Arry leads QPR back into the top flight.
The Mali forward has just seven goals from his 38 games in England, while the Republic of Ireland man managed just three in 25 outings for Wolves before making the drive to west London.
Redknapp also managed to bring in Manchester United youngster Will Keane but again only on a loan basis.
This lack of experienced firepower ensures that Redknapp, who was made aware of Eduardo’s availability on deadline day, will attempt to land the Brazilian-born Croatian when his Shakhtar Donetsk contract expires in the summer.
Eduardo earned a move to the Premier League when impressing Arsene Wenger with 46 goals in a 47-game season for Dinamo Zagreb.
Despite injuries hampering his time in north London the 30-year-old still bagged 21 strikes in 67 outings and continues to be among the goals in the Ukrainian top flight.
With QPR priced as 10/3 second favourites to win the Championship, Redknapp will hope Eduardo’s ties to the capital will persuade him to have another bite of the Premier League apple.
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