Nancy president Jacques Rousselot has confirmed Samba Diakite has agreed to join Queens Park Rangers on loan for the rest of the season.
Mali give midfielder permission to undergo Loftus Road medical
Nancy president Jacques Rousselot has confirmed Samba Diakite has agreed to join Queens Park Rangers on loan for the rest of the season.
QPR boss Mark Hughes acknowledged his interest in Diakite on Friday, with the midfielder currently on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Mali.
However, the 23-year-old has been given permission by Mali coach Alain Giresse to travel to England to undergo a medical ahead of completing a move to Loftus Road.
Lyon had been interested in signing Diakite, who can also play in defence, but the player has opted for a switch to the Premier League.
Agreed
"Alain Giresse, coach of Mali, agreed that Samba could go to England to complete his loan," said Rousselot in
L'Equipe.
"It will be a loan with an option to buy if QPR are still in the Premier League at the end of the season."
A fee of €4million (£3.4m) has been agreed for a permanent deal and Diakite could now join Nedum Onuoha and Taye Taiwo as new signings at QPR.
He will help to fill the void created by the injury to Alejandro Faurlin and Hughes has not ruled out further captures before the close of the transfer window.
