Rumour: Paladini says QPR are interested in Chris Birchall
Motormouth, controversial QPR supremo Gianni Palidini has hinted in one of his many, many utterances to the press that Rangers could be interested in Chris Birchall.
Palidini, who has recently returned to work at the club after a lengthy court case, told the local press that the club are interested in two new players including “one who has played in the World Cup.”
The West London press seem convinced that the player is Birchall, although Rangers will probably face competition for the Trinidad & Tobago International’s signature from several other clubs including Ipswich Town.
Vale will probably want to cash in on their prized asset, but whether they would be keen to sell to such a controversial figure as Paladini remains to be seen.
The former football agent was linked to a take-over of Vale before buying QPR, but he invoked a storm of criticism with his remarks that his son was a “lifelong” fan when further research revealed he was actually watching Notts County in action. According to a Vale boardroom statement, Paladini also substantially lowered his offer for the club when he believed he was the sole bidder.
An alternative investor, Peter Jackson, was found and the club remained in the hands of the fan-based board.
Paladini has been much in the news at Loftus Road, controversially ousting lifelong R’s fan chairman Bill Power in a boardroom coup, claiming he was “threatened” if he didn’t call off a friendly with MK Dons (a claim denied by supporters’ groups) and recently being involved in a lengthy and controversial court case.