Odemwingie farce mars QPR triple signing
QUEENS Park Rangers broke their transfer record for the second time in a month yesterday by signing former Blackburn defender Christopher Samba from Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala for £12.5m.
Samba joined Rangers on a four-and-a-half-year contract hours before last night’s deadline, replacing former Ewood Park team-mate Ryan Nelsen, who has left to manage Toronto FC, at the back.
QPR manager Harry Redknapp also produced a double signing from former club Tottenham, midfielders Jermaine Jenas and Andros Townsend inking permanent and loan moves respectively.
But in a bizarre late twist Redknapp failed to complete a deal for West Brom’s Peter Odemwingie, despite the striker driving to Loftus Road ahead of a transfer.
Odemwingie was left to wait in his car as negotiations between the clubs foundered, while Rangers also proved unable to pursuade Stoke to sell Peter Crouch.
Arsenal signed some much-needed defensive reinforcement in Malaga and Spain left-back Nacho Monreal for a fee in the region of £8.3m.
The 26-year-old, who has nine caps, arrived 24 hours after Kieran Gibbs was ruled for three weeks with a thigh strain suffered against Liverpool on Wednesday.
Tottenham failed to bring in long-term target Leandro Damiao from Internacional despite fresh talks over the Brazil centre-forward.
Spurs goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes joined German side Hoffenheim on loan, having found himself relegated to third choice at White Hart Lane.
Fulham boss Martin Jol bolstered his squad with three loan signings, most notably left-sided AC Milan and Holland player Urby Emanuelson. Ajax and Cameroon midfielder Eyong Enoh and PSV Eindhoven right-back Stanislav Manolev also arrived at Craven Cottage.
England goalkeeper Jack Butland joined Stoke from Birmingham for £4m, while the Potters also brought in American midfielder Brek Shea from FC Dallas for £2.5m.
Sunderland signed striker Danny Graham for £5m from Swansea after he grew frustrated at a lack of first-team opportunities.
BIG D-DAY DEALS
Chris Samba
Anzhi Makhachkala to QPR £12.5m
Nacho Monreal
Malaga to Arsenal £8.3m
Danny Graham
Swansea to Sunderland £5m
Jack Butland
Birmingham to Stoke £4m
John Stones
Barnsley to Everton £3m
Brek Shea
FC Dallas to Stoke £2.5m
Yacouba Sylla
Clermont to Aston Villa £1.7m
David Beckham
Free agent to PSG Free