QPR in quest to sign ‘The Rock’ of Colombia Carlos Sanchez

Colombia midfield destroyer Carlos Sanchez, affectionately nicknamed La Roca (The Rock) is a reported target for QPR this summer, and Hoops boss Harry Redknapp hopes to snap him up for less than his current £4m transfer tag.

The west Londoners (9/2 to finish in the top 10) have already bolstered their already large defensive contingent, by bringing in centre backs former England international ace Rio Ferdinand for free and rising star Steven Caulker.

However, with the club selling the likes of midfielders Stephane Mbia and Esteban Granero, they find themselves being very light in that area, with Joey Barton their only real option. Karl Henry, meanwhile, is being linked with a move to Championship side Norwich City, with Leroy Fer maybe going the other way, while Alejandro Faurlín has only just returned from injury. Adel Taarabt, meanwhile, looks likely to be offloaded and Jermaine Jenas is injured long-term yet again.

Sanchez currently plays for La Liga side Elche, who he helped keep in the Spanish top-flight last term, as they finished one point above the relegation zone in 16th place. He only signed for the Alicante side at the beginning of last season, and managed 31 appearances, mainly in defensive midfield.

The Colombian would have just the right mentality and physical presence required to play in the Premier League and help QPR stay up this time around. He was previously heavily linked with Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United in 2012.

Redknapp had been hoping to raise some funds with the sale of France forward Loic Remy, though, but a move to Liverpool did not materialise, after he reportedly failed a medical. But the club are still hopeful of snapping up Sanchez.

The 28-year-old was a crucial part of World Cup success story Colombia, playing in every minute of four out of five his country’s games at the finals – he was rested in the last group game with Japan.

QPR will be hoping to stay up at the first time of asking, after gaining promotion via the play-offs last term, and are odds-on at 4/11 to do so. They are 2/1 to go down, though, and 6/1 to finish bottom, as they did in the 2012/13 season.