Baggie Odemwingie breaks ranks
Transfer round-up:West Brom striker Peter Odemwingie arrived in London for talks with QPR tonight, but his club deny giving him permission to do so. Rangers boss Harry Redknapp was interested in the Nigerian and when the player was interviewed in London speaking of his excitement about a move, it looked as though a deal was on.
However, West Brom reacted quickly by releasing a statement which read: "Albion have moved to clarify developments regarding Peter Odemwingie after the striker was filmed a short while ago arriving at Loftus Road. The club can confirm they have held further discussions with QPR today but those talks have so far proven fruitless and no agreement has been reached.
"Albion would also like to make clear that Peter has not been given permission to speak to QPR about a potential move."
Albion's words came just minutes after Sky Sports News interviewed the 31-year-old as he drove into London. He has been critical of West Brom on Twitter over recent weeks but he tonight gave a nod to that being in the past, saying:
"It's fine. West Brom was my home but this is a new chapter. I love West Brom and always will.
"I am optimistic. A few good players have arrived here (at QPR) and I am happy with the trust Harry Redknapp has in me. The last few results have given us a chance to stay up. I don't think the owners will bring in so many players if they don't think it will happen. I hope West Brom are happy with what they will get and they hope to get players themselves."
While Odemwingie was in front of the cameras, Redknapp was giving an interview to London Call-In, during which he confirmed his interest in Odemwingie, Jermaine Jenas and Andros Townsend.
"Peter Odemwingie has pace, great movement," Redknapp said. "I like him and is a player that has always given us problems when I was at Tottenham. I think if we can get Odemwingie he would be a great signing for us, but whether we can pull it off I am not sure."
A QPR spokesman later insisted Odemwingie was denied access to Loftus Road.
The acquisition of Jenas looks like being an easier one for Redknapp, with the Tottenham midfielder also turning up at Loftus Road ahead of what he expects to be an 18-month deal.
He told reporters: "That's initially. I am fit and ready to go, it's a top club and I am confident the manager can make sure the club stays up. I know Harry well, spent a lot of time with him at Tottenham and know him well enough. It's a top club, has some good players and not in that bad a position. They're four points off safety and can definitely claw that back."
Earlier in the day, Rangers broke their club transfer record when they signed Christopher Sambafrom Anzhi Makhachkalaafter triggering a release clause believed to be more than £10 million.
"This is an unbelievable signing," Redknapp told the club's official website. "[Chairman] Tony Fernandes deserves a lot of credit for this one - he has worked so hard on bringing him in. I was speaking with him a month ago and he asked me who I would want to sign if Ryan Nelsen left, he asked me to give him a couple of names.
