Remy Move to QPR or Newcastle No Formality

Loic Remy's proposed move to Queens Park Rangers or Newcastle United still hinges on the Frenchman bypassing previous fitness problems and passing a medical at either of the Premier League strugglers.

The French international has made 10 starts for Marseille this season, but has suffered from constant thigh problems throughout the campaign.

Concerns also remain over a long-term hamstring injury, which kept him out of the summer's European Championship, while a heart condition diagnosed during his medical at Marseille in 2010, could also scupper his move to English football.

Such are his fitness problems, coupled with a run of form which saw him score just six league goals in 2012; Remy represents a huge risk to either of the relegation candidates, who have both had bids, reportedly in the region of £8m, accepted for the 26 year old.

Newcastle were thought to be the favourites to sign Remy after Marseille confirmed on Sunday an offer had been accepted, with personal terms expected to be discussed this week.

However, a last ditch bid from QPR on Monday has worked to hijack Remy's move to St James' Park, with the former Lyon and Lens forward understood to be swayed by the offer of an £80,000-a-week salary at the Premier League's bottom club.

On top of Remy's fitness worries, Marseille sporting director Jose Angio has confirmed a third club are in discussions with the forward with talks on-going this week.

"The coach of QPR has a good reputation," Angio told RTL radio. "Remy will talk with them as he discusses with two other clubs.

"For Remy there is not just Newcastle, we also have an agreement with QPR and one other club. It is up to Remy to decide. I don't think Remy has shut the door on QPR as is being said everywhere."

"We at OM reached an agreement with Newcastle, but we also talked with other English clubs," he added. "We gave them a working basis and it remains up to Loic to choose the club he prefers in terms of their structure or sporting plans.

"He is currently in England and is speaking with some clubs.

"Everyone talks about Newcastle, but it is not just Newcastle because he is talking with other clubs. We have to remain cautious. We have done our job and players and agents must do theirs. Nothing is done."

With 16 league games remaining this season both Rangers and Newcastle face a battle for survival at the bottom of the Premier League, with the former rooted to the foot of the table, five points from safety after just two wins this season, while the latter have following up a fifth placed finish last season with a run of 11 defeats in 22 domestic games.

Newcastle's French-speaking contingent were expected to be pivotal in convincing Remy to move to the north-east, with January signing Mathieu Debuchy admitted the striker has spoken with midfielder Yohan Cabaye about life with The Magpies.

"I'm still living with Yo[han] [Cabaye] and Remy telephoned last [Sunday] night," he told RMC Sport.

"Remy asked Cabaye for news of the club and wanted to know how things work and how things are going at Newcastle."

Having seemingly decided on joining Harry Redknapp at QPR, the influence of the club's own French-born players could potential have proven key in attracting Remy to west London, with among those, midfielder Stephane Mbia, having played alongside the winger-come-striker at the Stade Velodrome last term.

Redknapp last week revealed Remy had refused the opportunity to meet with the former Tottenham Hotspur boss, who had watching him seven times during his managerial spell at White Hart Lane, with a deal seemingly dead in the water.

"I went over last week to watch him, not that I needed to, as I watched him seven times when I was at Spurs," Redknapp told a press conference on Friday.

"Then he just did not want to speak about coming. I couldn't even get a meeting with him. I think he felt embarrassed coming to see me to say he wasn't interested in coming to QPR"

Joey Barton, currently on loan at Marseille from QPR and formerly of Newcastle, wrote on Twitter: "Just heard from a magician that Loic Remy has signed for QPR. Not sure what happened at Newcastle, Llambias again?

"Gift of the gab from Harry Redknapp perhaps? Thought it was done and dusted to Newcastle. Something must of gone amiss. Great news for #QPR.

"Looks like I was right 2nd time about Remy going to QPR. Good signing. Good player Loic. And good lad as well. Wish him luck there."

Should Remy complete his move to The Hoops, the news would come as a massive blow to Alan Pardew's attempts to replace top scorer Demba Ba, who joined Chelsea a fortnight ago.