http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/12040/8031772/QPR-in-Granero-talks Story on Granero at link above. Let's hope we're able to finalize 2 or 3 good additions before the window closes.
Spanish newspaper AS is reporting it as done, with QPR signing Granero on a five year deal (sorry, link is in Spanish). http://www.as.com/futbol/articulo/granero-marcha-traspasado-queen-s/20120829dasdasftb_33/Tes
Here is the English link from AS http://www.as.com/english/articulo/granero-makes-his-way-to/20120829dasdenspo_6/Ten
Thanks for that link. The Cesar deal is official. He will wear number 33. 4-year deal to play in W12. He turns 33 next month and has 64 caps for Brazil in addition to his many club honors (1 Champions League and 5 Italian league titles). He should have several years of top form remaining. Press release: http://www.qpr.co.uk/news/article/290812-cesar-deal-341908.aspx Fernandes & Hughes comments: http://www.qpr.co.uk/news/article/290812-fernandes-cesar-341920.aspx
I'm very intrigued by QPR and what they've done in this window. What's the goal for this year? Top 8 finish?
I think we'll stay up. In terms of finances, I think a lot of people are seeing the total number of players and assuming that a lot is being spent. If you look at the signings they've made, only Park (2 million), Hoilett (Tribunal, probably around 6-7 mil), and Samba (I heard around 4 mil) have come with significant transfer fees. Factor that in with getting some money back for Helguson and Smith and it's not a huge amount being spent on fees. Some of the weekly salaries may be high, but those are part of the cost of operating a club. The ownership group has said recently that wages are right around where they were last year, so I think they'll be OK
My minimum goal is staying up. We finish with Arsenal (H), Newcastle (H), and Liverpool (A), so I want us to be safe before we get to May. I honestly don't know how good this team can be yet. We'll see. It's a very interesting chapter of what has been a wild ride over the last dozen years -- relegation to the third tier, administration, play-off heartbreak, promotion, multiple ownership changes, stadium loan putting club under threat, gun trial, Flavio's willingness to fire a manager every few weeks, possible last-minute points deduction, Championship title and promotion, return to the Prem, last-day survival, now we're signing some world-class talent. It's never boring being a QPR supporter.
Oddly, the QPR website has posted a story about Granero before personal terms have been agreed. They don't usually do that. http://www.qpr.co.uk/news/article/300812-granero-agreement-342802.aspx
http://www.qpr.co.uk/news/article/300812-granero-signs-343656.aspx It's official. 4-year deal for Granero at QPR.
Michael Cox at FourFourTwo is impressed with the Granero signing: http://fourfourtwo.com/blogs/statsz...st-astute-signing-of-the-transfer-window.aspx?
http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-n...mours/120831/qpr-set-swoop-mexico-star-179937 We may be in for Mexican striker Aldo de Nigris.
http://www.qpr.co.uk/news/article/310812-bothroyd-owls-345569.aspx Jay Bothroyd has gone to Sheffield Wednesday on loan until January 2nd.
Granero can play at City tomorrow - wonder if he will. Also wonder what on earth our starting 11 will look like! Apparently Granero can play in a #10 role, or further back holding. Does Hughes see him as a playmaker (and someone to push Taarabt aside)?
Granero has played as a #10 or as a RM in a 4-2-3-1. But he's not a DM in a 4-4-2, he needs another defence-minded midfielder alongside him.
All January activity will be done with one eye on The Championship. We could be in an all but impossible situation.
Maybe, but this roster, as it is, should be good enough to stay up. Hopefully we can get the results we need without much change. Of course, in my head, we're going to win at Wigan tomorrow.
I think the next 5 matches will tell Harry everything he needs to know about 2013. If we could somehow manage get to 15 points (3 wins and 2 losses -- very unlikely but we live in hope!) then I think he would seriously go for it. Try to convince Dawson to join, maybe make a play for Darren Bent, etc. If we're still 7 points from safety going to Chelsea on Jan 2nd then it's a 'guide them into The Championship softly' Spring.
http://www.qpr.co.uk/news/article/020113-hulse-and-bothroyd-return-570830.aspx The loans of Hulse (3 goals at Charlton Athletic) and Bothroyd (1 goal at Sheffield Wednedsay) have come to an end. More importantly, the loan spell of DJ Campbell (10 goals at Ipswich Town) is coming to an end, too. However, Ipswich have offered him a permanent deal and want to buy him. It'll be interesting to see what happens with him. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20878066
Tal Ben Haim has signed through the end of the season. http://www.qpr.co.uk/news/article/040113-ben-haim-signs-577774.aspx Luke Young is back in training with the club and may feature in the 25 for the second half of the season, if healthy (good move, I think). http://www.westlondonsport.com/qpr/young-set-to-land-place-in-25-man-squad? Harry is interested in Spurs' Jake Livermore. http://www.westlondonsport.com/qpr/redknapp-confirms4-interest13-in-spurs-man