'The finance doesn't come into it': Loic Remy denies decision to join QPR was based on money

French striker had offer from Newcastle on the table

Loic Remy today denied he had snubbed Newcastle in favour of joining QPR because of the financial package offered by the Barclays Premier League's bottom club.

The France striker looked set to join the Magpies after manager Alan Pardew made what he described as a "fantastic offer", only to instead move to Rangers who are reported to have offered him £80,000 per week.

Newcastle great Alan Shearer expressed his surprise at Remy's decision and suggested that money was the motivating factor, but the £8million capture from Marseille revealed the influence of QPR manager Harry Redknapp was key.

"The finance doesn't come into it at all because Newcastle offered me a very good contract as well," Remy said.

"I've seen that a lot of people are surprised I came to QPR and say that I came here for money, but my decision was no way based on financial reasons.

"I could have stayed at Marseille because I had a good contract there. There are a number of reasons for why I had to leave Marseille for here.

"QPR were very open, they wanted me and it's great to be here.

"It's true that I hesitated between Newcastle and QPR. I went to meet the staff at Newcastle and there came a time to make a decision and I made that decision based on two factors.

"Firstly I already knew the coach Harry Redknapp and secondly, I'm very excited by the project QPR have here for the future.

"It's a big challenge and the team are in a difficult situation, but since Harry Redknapp has been here things have changed a great deal."

Redknapp monitored Remy when he was Tottenham manager and went to Marseille to meet him, only to be put off by the £20million price tag being quoted at the time.

PA