QPR activate Samba release clause

31/01/2013 3:30:00 AM

After missing out on Fulham defender Brede Hangeland, R's boss Harry Redknapp has moved to sign the former Blackburn centre-back from Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala

QPR have triggered the release clause in Christopher Samba's contract with Anzhi Makhachkala.

The Premier League's bottom club are looking to bolster their defence in the final days of the transfer window after allowing Anton Ferdinand to join Bursaspor on loan and with Ryan Nelsen set to take over as head coach of Toronto FC.

QPR boss Harry Redknapp has already moved for Korean left-back Yoon Suk-Young and confirmed his interest in signing former Blackburn centre-back Samba ahead of Tuesday's 0-0 draw with Manchester City.

He told reporters: "I like Christopher Samba and he is a very good player but at this stage I don't see him leaving Russia. Things can changes but at this stage we're not close to doing anything."

Samba attempted to force through a move to QPR in the 2012 January transfer window but Blackburn rejected his transfer request before letting him leave for Anzhi the following month.

As exclusively revealed by Goal.com, Redknapp had switched his attentions to Fulham defender Brede Hangeland before activating Samba's release clause, but their London rivals rebuffed an approach.