QPR owner Tony Fernandes declared 'there is no name we're afraid to be linked to,' as moves for Chris Samba, Alex and Didier Drogba gather momentum. Fernandes added that signing Manchester City outcast Carlos Tevez was not viable financially, but moves for the African pair, Alex - who QPR bid for on Wednesday - and Fulham strikers Bobby Zamora and Andy Johnson are on the cards. New manager Mark Hughes has been given a sizeable transfer kitty to play with in the January transfer window, something Fernandes was keen to emphasise. 'We've told Mark to come back to us with what he needs, we have some ideas but he's the man in the hotseat,' Fernandez said on Sky Sports News. 'We're actively talking every day. We hope we can do something before Newcastle (whom QPR play on Sunday). '[There is] no name we are afraid to be linked to provided it makes sense for the manager and it makes for the club.' Fernandez insisted a move for Tevez, in whom AC and Inter Milan are both interested, is not on the cards. 'That's not something I can realistically afford,' Fernandez told talkSPORT. Fernandes hailed Hughes as having the potential to be 'one of the best in the world.' Hughes was appointed as Neil Warnock’s successor on Tuesday and, though his first task will be to save the Rs from relegation, Fernandes says his ambitions are far greater than that. He told talkSPORT: 'When you have someone who wants to show he’s one of the best in the world, that [is something] money can’t buy. 'And I think his record in the Premier League speaks for itself. 'I think it’s a great honour for QPR that we were able to persuade [him] to come to the club. 'What he saw is that QPR is a rough diamond. 'I think the fans should be proud that we could attract a top-class guy in Mark.' Fernandes played down any suggestion player unrest had contributed to the departure of Warnock, who was sacked on Sunday. He said: 'The players were very appreciative of what [Warnock] had done. 'That’s a chapter and we move on. The players are very excited about working with Mark.' Fernandes confirmed his hope ultimately to build a new stadium for the club. 'All in good time,' he said. 'My first goal is to build a decent training ground and we’re weeks away from that. 'I’m optimistic going forward we will have a new stadium. It will have to be in the Loftus Road vicinity.' Fernandes, a big user of Twitter, also said he would not move to restrict players’ freedom on social media. Midfielder Joey Barton in particular has attracted attention for his output. Fernandes said: 'I am the ultimate liberal and I believe in openness and transparency. That’s not something I want to get involved in and I think Mark will have to make his call. 'He’s the boss of the players and he’ll have to judge whether it works for some players, or whether he doesn’t want it.' Meanwhile, winger Tommy Smith says he is confident Hughes can take QPR to another level after meeting his new manager for the first time. Hughes wasted no time spelling out his ambitions to Rangers’ players after signing a two-and-a-half year contract at Loftus Road. The 48-year-old addressed his new squad at the Barclays Premier League club’s Harlington training ground and Smith was impressed with what he heard. Speaking about the the appointment of the former Manchester United striker and Manchester City and Wales manager, Smith said: 'I think it’s a very positive appointment. 'To have a manager who’s played at the very highest level, managed big teams, international teams as well, it’s just great for everyone concerned and particularly for the players. 'We signed a fair bit of Premier League experience at the end of August but a lot of players haven’t been at this level for too long. 'To have someone like Mark Hughes to work with every day now is going to be a fantastic opportunity and he’s bringing a wealth of experience. 'So it’s really exciting times.' Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2085073/Mark-Hughes-Chris-Samba-Alex-Didier-Drogba-says-Tony-Fernandes.html#ixzz1j978p46q
Is it me, or does Fernandes talk more to the media than all the other Premiership chairman combined? Happy with what he is saying, but he has to be really joined up with Hughes, Amit and the Mittals to make sure they are all coming from the same place. Our absent friend Swords had his doubts about this level of media activity I seem to remember. I do really like the ruling out of Tevez - little bit of sanity back into the proceedings.... PS Norway, many thanks for keeping the flow of R's based news coming
Me too. Shows that he still thinks about the bottom line. I'm sure the guys running the club can figure out what we can or cannot afford. They had to work hard to earn their millions....unlike owners of some other clubs.
Cheers SB.73, much appreciated Without Northolt we all have to contribute a little bit more with the news feeds, impossible shoes to fill though, but everyone has been top notch so far
