http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2020918/QPR-boss-Warnock-set-inherit-transfer-war-chest-Loftus-Road-takeover-imminent.html
By Sami Mokbel and Alex Kay (Daily Mail) Air Tycoon Tony Fernandes is preparing to hand Queens Park Rangers manager Neil Warnock a transfer fund of £10million as he looks to finalise his takeover plans. Sportsmail exclusively revealed how the Malaysian-businessman held talks with QPR co-owner Bernie Ecclestone and his business partner Flavio Briatore over purchasing a majority stake in the Barclays Premier League new-boys. And Fernandesâ interest in the Loftus Road club was evident when the millionaire businessman joined Briatore on a whistlestop visit to Bergamo, Italy, to watch the West London club win the three-team Bortolotti Trofeo tournament, which also included Atalanta and Braga. The 47-year-old, who is also team-principle for Formula One outfit Team Lotus, flew to Italy from Budapest after Saturdayâs qualifying session for the Hungary Grand Prix, before returning on Sunday morning for the race itself. And Sportsmail has learned discussions over Fernandesâ proposed buy-out are at a âhighly advancedâ stage and he is hopeful of being on board by the start of the new season. Fernandes and Warnock met briefly after the tournament as the QPR boss looked to strike a relationship he hopes will bring the job stability he craves after months of speculation over his role. And West Ham supporter Fernandes is ready to back Warnock in a show of support for the experienced manager. Spend, spend, spend: Fernandes is set to hand Warnock a £10m kitty Warnock told Sportsmail: âMyself, Flavio [Briatore] and Tony all had a positive chat after the match on Saturday. âWeâve already spoken about possible targets and he is a very positive chap.â Warnock has been restricted to free transfers this summer, with Jay Bothroyd, Daniel Gabbidon and Kieron Dyer all arriving for nothing. The Loftus Road chief will continue that trend this week by completing free transfer moves for former Ipswich goalkeeper Brian Murphy and ex-Portsmouth striker Danny Webber. But Fernandesâ investment will give Warnock the chance to spend some money for the first time this summer. Having missed out on Kyle Naughton to Norwich, a new right-back remain one of Warnockâs top priorities with Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha high on his hitlist. Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas is liked by Warnock, as is Jimmy Bullard - whose future at Hull is shrouded in doubt after he was suspended by the Tigers last week. Warnock hopes to complete his first cash deal today when he holds talks with striker DJ Campbell after QPR met Blackpoolâs £1.25million release clause for the striker.
So If the Mordy rumor is true he may feel that he needs to usurp his predecessor and give NW 20 mil, we live in hope and dream.
I would jus like to see he players mentioned brought in as we could do with some experience to add to what we already have. I haven't seen anything regarding potential outgoing (high wage earner) players...ie Hall, Vine, Dave etc. Does anyone know anything?
This does seem to be the buy out option that has the most legs. We still don't know how this guy can even afford Eccleston's asking price let alone fund £10m in transfers however. That would appear to be in erxcesss of his entire fortune. Our best hope is that the Mittal's become enthused again once the poison dwarf has left and work with Fernandes in developing the club. Although better that our current situation £10m is nothing by PL standards and the whole notion of a new ground (vital for club development IMO but not mentioned all summer) requires investment on a much larger scale.
I have mentioned this before, but I do wonder whether the Mittals will become more active once the goons have disappeared? If they can see investment and improvement, this could be a good way to protect their financial interests and investement within the club.
Warnock holds talks with Fernandes 01 Aug 2011 - 12:30:18 Queens Park Rangers RSS news feed Warnock holds talks with Fernandes Related Links Championship Results Championship News Championship Fixtures Neil Warnock has revealed he held "positive" talks with prospective QPR owner Tony Fernandes at the weekend. Fernandes, the boss of Formula One's Team Lotus, met Rangers manager Warnock in Bergamo, Italy, on Saturday after watching the Barclays Premier League new boys win the pre-season Bortolotti Trofeo tournament. Warnock told the Daily Mail: "Myself, Flavio (Briatore, QPR joint owner) and Tony all had a positive chat after the match on Saturday. We've already spoken about possible targets and he is a very positive chap." QPR last week announced they were in talks with potential new owners, with the interested party having since been revealed to be Fernandes. He has reportedly been in discussions with co-owner Bernie Ecclestone and the F1 supremo's business partner Briatore, joining the latter on a whistlestop visit to Italy after the qualifying session at the Hungarian Grand Prix on Saturday. Malaysian businessman Fernandes last year lost out to David Sullivan and David Gold in trying to buy West Ham, the team he supports. Warnock will be hoping any takeover will result in extra funds for him to spend on players, with Rangers restricted to free transfers so far this summer. They have agreed a reported ã1.25million fee for Blackpool striker DJ Campbell, who they hope to complete the signing of this week. In March, Ecclestone suggested he might be interested in selling his 69% stake in QPR for ã100million - and the club entered into talks with an unnamed group. Those discussions failed to reach an agreement, but Rangers last week released a statement revealing the club had started "preliminary discussions with a different party". Almost a third of QPR's stock is owned by the family of metals billionaire Lakshmi Mittal. In May, vice-chairman Amit Bhatia, Mittal's son-in-law, resigned from the board after a disagreement over ticket-price increases and changes to club management. Force India Formula One team owner Vijay Mallya and chairman of United Breweries Group, which produces the Kingfisher beer brand, were previously linked with the Loftus Road club. http://www.football.co.uk/queens_park_rangers/warnock_holds_talks_with_fernandes_rss1753854.shtml
Yep, I'm with the vaguely cynicals, here. £10m is better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick, and I think we can rely on NW to spend it wisely, but there are limited ambitions here. Moral of the QPR story so far - It's better to be owned by one billionairre than two.
