Loic Remy move to QPR driven by money - Alan Shearer

 

Former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer has questioned Loic Remy's decision to sign for QPR instead of the Magpies.

The forward, 26, joined the Premier League's bottom side from Marseille on Wednesday, three days after a deal was agreed with 16th-placed Newcastle.

"I am surprised to see Remy go to QPR instead of Newcastle," said Shearer.

Newcastle top scorers 2012-13

PL FA Cup League Cup Europe Total

Demba Ba

13

0

0

0

13

Papiss Cisse

4

0

1

1

6

Shola Ameobi

1

0

0

2

3

Hatem Ben Arfa

3

0

0

0

3

Yohan Cabaye

2

0

0

0

2

"I would have a good guess financial things had a part to play. While I hope QPR get out of it, I find it hard to say he chose them over Newcastle."

France international Remy travelled to Tyneside on Sunday for talks and a medical after Newcastle agreed an £8m fee with Marseille.

Keen to replace top scorer Demba Ba following his move to Chelsea, the Magpies were hoping to complete a deal by the middle of this week.

But QPR manager Harry Redknapp persuaded the front man to change his mind and join the relegation-threatened Loftus Road club. It is believed that QPR are paying him more than £70,000 a week after spending a club record £8m to sign him.

Remy's decision means Newcastle - two points above the relegation zone - still need to replace Ba, who remains their leading scorer with 13 goals despite his move to Stamford Bridge on 4 January.

"It is a tough one for him," Newcastle's all-time leading scorer Shearer said. "He will believe he has a better chance of winning things there and at the moment he probably has.

"Having said that, he gave his all in a Newcastle shirt, played well and scored goals, so I don't think anybody can complain.

"But it is disappointing to see our top scorer leave. Hopefully, they will have a plan B and a plan C because it's left Newcastle with a huge gap that they obviously need to fill."