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Genoa want QPR's Adel Taarabt in exchange for ex-Wigan defender Andreas Granqvist
ADEL TAARABT could be set for an unlikely move to Italy after Genoa asked QPR about acquiring the player in exchange for defender Andreas Granqvist.
Harry Redknapp wants to add ex-Wigan defender Granqvist to his squad at Loftus Road and reports in Italy suggest that QPR have made a £4.75m bid for the Swedish international.
But according to Gazzetta dello Sport, Genoa are more interested in Moroccan midfielder Taarabt.
Genoa are thought to be confident that QPR will agree to the swap but remain less convinced that Taarabt will agree to a move to Italy, where the club only narrowly avoided relegation from Serie A last term.
Taarabt won Championship Player Of The Year when QPR won promotion in the 2010/11 season, but didn't shine to quite the same degree in the Premier League, scoring five goals in 31 appearances last season.
Taarabt has been linked with a move to AC Milan and PSG in recent times but the players volatile character and inconsistency appears to have scared off big name suitors.
But it hasn't deterred Genoa, who see the 24-year-old creative midfielder as a player who can help them secure a more comfortable finish to the upcoming season.
Granqvist had a previous stint in England after Wigan signed the player from Helsingborg for a fee reportedly in the region of £750,000 in 2007.
But Granqvist only made 14 appearances for the Latics before joining Groningen in Holland in 2008.
Granqvist has enjoyed more success since joining Genoa in 2011, and has now caught Redknapp's eye as he looks to build a squad capable of bouncing back into the Premier League at the first time of asking.