Queens Park Rangers recently rejected a "massive offer" from a Russian club for Chris Samba, or at least that is what manager Harry Redknapp has revealed. Samba arrived from Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala for a club-record fee of £12.5m in January, but was subject to an even bigger offer before the Russian transfer window closed on 27 February. "We had an offer for Samba right on the deadline and the chairman turned it down," said Redknapp. "We had an offer of more money than what we paid for Samba."
Redknapp managed to drive his side to within four points of Premier League safety with a 2-1 win at Southampton on Saturday, but when it came to deciding on the offer for Samba he left the decision in the hands of chairman Tony Fernandes. "The chairman asked me 'what do you think?' and I said 'it is up to you, it is your club, it is your decision'. I left it to the chairman. He came back and said he had turned it down and said 'get on with it'."
Since Fernandes bought the club in August 2011, QPR have signed no less than 28 first-team players, including six in January 2013. Samba, a former Blackburn defender, aged 28, played an important part in QPR's win at Southampton, and Redknapp admits he is relieved Samba will remain at Loftus Road. "The player probably spoke to the chairman but it was really important we kept him. It was really good for us. Had we had lost him, I would say that is football - he is a proper player."
Despite last weekend's win at Southampton QPR remain prime candidates for relegation according to the bookmakers, even though Reading seem the top favourites at the moment. Here are the odds on the "to be relegated" market at Bet365:
Reading - 1/4
QPR - 1/3
Aston Villa - 8/11
Wigan - 10/11
Southampton - 11/4
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