Loic Remy denies snubbing QPR boss Harry Redknapp in France

Loic Remy has denied that he refused to speak to Harry Redknapp when the Queens Park Rangers manager travelled to France watch the forward ahead of his transfer to Loftus Road.

Redknapp had said that he “couldn’t even get a meeting” with the 26-year-old forward to discuss a potential move to west London after a Ligue 1 game earlier this month.

But Remy, who joined QPR on Wednesday on a four-and-a-half year deal, insisted he simply delayed the meeting because he was thinking about his future and said it was in no way a lack of respect.

Remy said: “No, I didn’t refuse to speak to him [Redknapp], I was just thinking about my future at that time.

“I didn’t want to speak to him at that time was because I didn’t want him to then expect me to join the club.

“My agent explained that to him and then it was fine. I spoke to him afterwards and we went for a meal.

“It was in no way a lack of respect, far from it.

“This is someone who has followed me now for two-and-a-half years and given all of the attention he has shown in me over the last two years it would’ve been really bad manners on my part to have lacked respect.”

QPR chairman Tony Fernandes paid a visit to Remy’s house in an attempt to convince the France international to join the R’s.

And Remy says he was impressed by the QPR chief’s personal approach as the pair played Fifa and discussed his move to west London.

“As I said it’s not something I expected, to have the chairman come to my house. That will stay with me as one of my great memories in my career.

“We played Fifa but I don’t know if I should say who won, because he might get angry! We played two games and I won them both.”

Remy also insisted that the chance to move to the English capital did not have a major influence in his decision to snub a rival offer from Newcastle United.

He added: “To be honest, I considered a lot of factors when I made my decision here. It wasn’t simply a case of London being the motivation in coming here.

“I’ve heard Newcastle is up in the North and very cold but that’s not really relevant.

“It wasn’t the lifestyle of being in London that made my decision for me.”

Rock-bottom QPR face a huge battle in attempting to avoid the drop this season – but Remy believes the pressure of a relegation scrap can bring out the best in him.

“I think pressure can help, just like pressure for certain players can be something difficult to manage,” he said.

“Personally as a player I love pressure. If I didn’t feel any pressure it would be almost worrying because you might be too relaxed. I’m ready to go out there, fight hard and work my socks off.

“My main ability lies in the fact that I work really hard. I’m going to do everything I can to play well. I’m quick, good in the air and ultimately want to score goals.”