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Harry Redknapp admits QPR needs strikers in January transfer window

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Queens Park Rangers stand at 15th place in the Premier League ahead of their next contest on New Year’s Day, and as is the case with multiple other teams across Europe, QPR intends to bolster a position on their roster that could use work.

Manager Harry Redknapp has revealed that an addition at striker is a part of his side’s transfer plans.

“You can’t rely on Charlie getting all the goals, that’s obvious, so that is an area we are looking at,” said Redknapp, speaking of QPR striker Charlie Austin boasting the third-highest goal total in the league.

According to rumors, he has a couple of options at his disposal.

One possible move is Jermain Defoe’s switch from Major League Soccer’s Toronto FC. The English international scored 12 goals in 17 appearances in MLS, but he was often forced to the sideline with injury, which didn’t help his reputation for those who expected big numbers from him in a full season.

He’s recovering from groin surgery, and his scale of production overseas is uncertain. Plus, as Redknapp notes, an actual transfer for Defoe appears unlikely.

Per Sky Sports:

“With Jermain, the whole package, to pay a transfer fee and then pay the wages and everything, would be too expensive for us at the moment,” the QPR boss said.

“So, that is a problem. The package would not be within our budget.”


Nonetheless, a loan deal could be in the cards, enabling Defoe to make an immediate impact while alleviating his financial burden. Toronto GM Tim Bezbatchenko and his staff would ultimately weigh this decision, if they believed time across the pond would put Defoe in good form.

Finding it difficult to grab first-team minutes on West Ham behind Diafra Sakho and Andy Carroll, forward Mauro Zarate is legitimately poised to head off to Loftus Road. The Guardian divulged that the Argentine will join the Hoops on loan, pending a medical.

Zarate hasn’t displayed remarkable scoring ability since his first season (2008-09) at Lazio, where he buried 16 goals in 41 competitions, so assume their are a couple of more players on Redknapp’s shortlist to mitigate the unpredictable products loans can bring.