M´Bia London bound, says Hughes

QPR manager Mark Hughes said Marseille defender Stephane M’Bia is travelling to London for a medical ahead of a potential deadline day deal.

The Rangers boss was confident that the deal for the versatile Cameroon international would be completed ahead of the transfer deadline late on Friday.

“He is en route as we speak,” he told a press conference.

“Hopefully we will get him in to a medical quite quickly.

“A lot of discussion has taken place in terms of his contract and expectations from both sides so that’s pretty much been concluded.

“So once we get through the medical hopefully we will be able to conclude the deal very quickly. He is another player that can play in a couple of positions. I like that flexibility in players. He is a good age, and we have paid a good price for him.”

The 26-year-old began his career as a defensive midfielder at Rennes, before earning a move to Marseille, where he was played at centre back under manager Didier Deschamps with great success as they won Ligue 1 in 2010.

Rangers’ move for M’Bia is likely to end the club’s interest in Michael Dawson, who is set to remain at Tottenham after Younes Kaboul sustained a knee injury.

Hughes was also confident of agreeing a season-long loan deal with the French club for Joey Barton, who incurred a 12-game ban in the final match last season and is surplus to requirements at Loftus Road following the arrival of Esteban Granero.

The French transfer window shuts on Tuesday, but Hughes hoped for a quick resolution, commenting: “I would have thought it would be concluded quite quickly. I would be surprised if it wasn’t.”