Striker Remy completes move to Chelsea

Loic Remy has completed his move from QPR to Chelsea despite a last-ditch offer from Arsenal.

The France striker, 27, has signed a four-year contract at Stamford Bridge after being snapped up as a replacement for Fernando Torres, who has finalised his move to AC Milan on a two-year loan.

Arsenal indicated on Saturday evening that they were also willing to meet a release clause in Remy’s contract.

But by then Remy had agreed in principle to join the Blues and he made it clear he would go ahead with the transfer after he had undergone a medical.

He joined QPR from Marseille in January last year on the understanding it could help him eventually secure a move to a top-four Premier League club.

Remy has been keen to stay in London, but amid numerous reports of interest from Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham, they consistently declined to make a firm approach despite being aware of his potential availability.

A proposed transfer to Liverpool recently collapsed and on Friday morning he rejected a move to Newcastle, where he spent last season on loan, after the Magpies submitted an offer in a final attempt to sign him.

Rangers offered him a new contract and on Friday afternoon – prior to the Torres deal being announced – they were increasingly confident he would remain at Loftus Road and sign an improved deal early next week.

But Chelsea made an approach following talks with Remy’s representatives and QPR boss Harry Redknapp was informed at midday on Saturday that the player was set to move on.

Arsenal, who expect to be without injured forward Olivier Giroud for four months, then made their move, but it came too late to stop Remy joining Jose Mourinho’s side.

Remy’s departure shortly before the transfer window closes is an outcome Rangers hoped to avoid.

They initially expected to complete the £5m signing of long-time target Kolbeinn Sigthorsson before Monday’s deadline but now believe the Icelandic striker, 24, may stay at Ajax, where he has been offered a pay rise.

Torres, meanwhile, heads to Italy having been much maligned since his £50m move to west London from Liverpool in January 2011.

The Spaniard, who scored 20 goals in 110 appearances for Chelsea, failed to consistently produce his best form and his first-team prospects looked bleak following the summer signings of Diego Costa and Didier Drogba.

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