Queens Park Rangers aim to keep the bulk of their squad together next season.
A 2-0 home defeat to Stoke City all but confirmed the Hoops relegation from the Premier League on Saturday, as they now sit 10 points adrift of safety with just four matches remaining. Their fate could be sealed this coming weekend, when they travel to Reading, who are the only team below the Loftus Road side in the standings.
Demotion to the Championship would likely result in a number of big-name departures, such as striker Loic Remy who has an £8million release clause in his contract, and Christopher Samba, who is believed to be on a weekly wage of £100,000. There have also been suggestions that manager Harry Redknapp could look to leave the club, despite signing a two-and-a-half year contract when he succeeded Mark Hughes in November.
However, QPR chief executive Philip Beard has indicated that there will not be another change in the dugout ahead of next season. Not only this, but he has also revealed that they hope to keep the bulk of their squad together as they look to make an instant return to the top-flight, and Redknapp will have the final say on all comings and goings.
“We agreed that if we’re relegated, we have to bounce straight back,” Beard said in the Daily Mirror. “To do this, we need the strongest squad possible and for that reason every player under contract must stay unless we get the right offer and Harry agrees to let them go. The commitment of the shareholders, including Amit Bhatia, is clear for all to see, and despite a desperately disappointing season, the long-term future is very bright.”
As well as Remy and Samba, there is likely to be interest in other members of Redknapp’s first team squad. Adel Taarabt, the Moroccan playmaker, has in the past been linked with some big clubs, whilst goalkeeper Julio Cesar, a five-time Serie A winner with Internazionale, has proved his quality in the Premier League. Junior Hoilett left Blackburn Rovers when they were relegated last season, and Esteban Granero has struggled to settle in London.
