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Peter Odemwingie offered to pay back West Brom £300,000 in bonuses to force QPR transfer

Striker travelled to QPR last night despite not being given permission to do so

Friday 01 February 2013 13:21 GMT
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Peter Odemwingie celebrates his winner against Chelsea
Peter Odemwingie celebrates his winner against Chelsea (Getty Images)

Peter Odemwingie revealed during an emotional interview this morning that he offered to pay back £300,000 in bonuses to West Brom in a desperate bid to force through a last minute move to Queens Park Rangers.

The striker drove down to London last night believing he was on the verge of sealing the transfer but was unaware that West Brom had blocked it because Rangers refused to let Junior Hoilett move in the opposite direction, report the Evening Standard.

And not even Odemwingie's extraordinary offer to hand back win-bonuses from this campaign could persuade West Brom to change their mind. In an interview with Sky Sports today, the 31-year-old said: "As far as I was concerned, I had to hold on until the last minute. It was never about money, it was my professional desire.

"I was ready to give back my bonus, of about £300,000 earned from the points we have so far. I was ready to offer that so I don't believe this was anything about money."

Last night's bizarre events saw Odemwingie locked out of QPR, having told a TV interviewer on his arrival at Loftus Road (above) that he was "90 per cent" sure the deal would be done.

Odemwingie is now left in limbo with West Brom fans furious over his conduct last night and in the run up to transfer deadline day when he tweeted of his desire to leave and criticised the club.

Manager Steve Clarke now faces a difficult decision as to whether to play Odemwingie against Spurs at The Hawthorns on Sunday, knowing that the home crowd are sure to turn on the Nigeria international.

However, QPR manager Harry Redknapp said today that he hoped Odemwingie did not suffer over the fiasco.

"Let's hope people give him a chance to move on and get on with his life," said Redknapp. "Show me someone who hasn't made a mistake and I'll show you a liar. People have made bigger mistakes than him, massive mistakes in their lives and they're now back playing football. Forget it, move on, give the boy a chance. He's a good player and good person.

"I was disappointed with the way it went, disappointed for him. The whole thing was a bit of a mess and that's all I was disappointed in. I felt genuinely sorry for him. He thought the deal was done - that's why he turned up.

"He wasn't the only player who turned up at a ground yesterday only for the deal not to be done. He pulled up and the cameras are there."

The player was sent home from training today and West Brom later confirmed that Odemwingie would not be involved in Sunday's home game with Tottenham.

A club statement read: "Albion confirm that Peter Odemwingie reported for training this morning.

"The player met with board members Dan Ashworth and Richard Garlick and head coach Steve Clarke for preliminary discussions which proved constructive.

"After the events of the past week, the club decided it is in the best interests of all parties that Peter is not involved in Sunday's game and he has been given permission to return home."

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