Redknapp takes charge of his first match on Tuesday evening, away to Sunderland, with QPR still in search of their first league victory of the season and although the new manager reiterated yesterday that he had no intention of selling Taarabt, there was a warning that he had to work harder on the pitch.
In 2010, when he was Spurs manager, Redknapp sold Taarabt to QPR, famously calling him a "fruitcake", and the midfielder remains an erratic, if hugely talented player. Redknapp might, understandably, be tempted to sell if the right offer comes in and he is given the funds to buy. It is understood that QPR would push for closer to £15?million if possible.
Manchester United have shown interest in the 23-year-old Moroccan in the past, and considered an offer when QPR were promoted from the Championship. They have continued to monitor his progress.
Taarabt went on loan to QPR in 2009 before signing permanently the following year, for just £1?million, and becoming the key player in the club's promotion season when he was given the captaincy by the then manager Neil Warnock.
It was then that United were first linked with a move for Taarabt with Warnock claiming Sir Alex Ferguson, the United manager, had scouted the player, only for him to be sent off against Hull City.
Before the takeover led by Tony Fernandes in August 2011, it was expected that Taarabt would be sold and he was strongly linked to Paris St-Germain.
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