QPR launch bid for Jelavic

, 4 January, 0comments  |  Jump to most recent
Queens Park Rangers have made an approach for Nikica Jelavic and are hoping to open talks over a deal to take the Croatian to London report The Guardian.

Jelavic has been unable to win back his starting role at Goodison following a barren 2012-13 and the arrival last summer of Romelu Lukaku. He made his first start since September and scored his first goal under Roberto Martinez today, coincidentally against QPR, but the manager has been open in his preparedness to listen to offers for the 28 year-old who needs regular football in a World Cup year.

The report suggests that Everton have received a number of inquiries regarding Jelavic but had only received loan proposals until it emerged that both QPR and West Ham are willing to pay an initial £3.5m for the striker.

"They have asked but there is nothing concrete," Martinez is quoted as saying. "We have had a few clubs ask about Nikica and Johnny Heitinga because I made it public. Teams have been really interested in two players of their experience and want to find out about the situation. I think when people realise Niki is not going to be available on loan that changes things."

While he hasn't discussed the fresh interest from Rangers with Jelavic, Martinez admitted that the player is probably aware of it but was not concerned about his motivation for today's FA Cup tie.

"I'm sure he knows because these days the players are the first to find out. It won't change his motivation if he plays [against QPR]. It would be very cynical to think that he would not want to knock the team out of the Cup.

It's different when there is a firm bid on the table but we're not in that situation. There have been a few clubs asking about him, a few from abroad and a few from the British game."

Hamburg SV have also been credited with interest but apparently prefer a move in the summer which would not suit Jelavic's need for regular action in order to secure a place in Croatia's squad for Brazil.

A loan deal doesn't interest Martinez, either. "That would be the case with Arouna injured," he said. "Niki will never go out on loan because it would leave us totally open and we cannot replace him in that respect. He's a big asset and, if we are allowing him to move, it's out of respect to his career and what he has done for us.

He needs to play to go to the World Cup and I accept that but it has to be the right terms for the club. I wouldn't let the squad be weakened just to satisfy an individual."

Quotes or other material sourced from The Guardian





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