Cook fee to be set by tribunal

Lee Cook’s proposed move from Watford to Rangers has been delayed due to the clubs not being able to agree on a fee and now the payment is set to be decided by a tribunal.

The former Aylesbury winger (21) is too young for a Bosman style free transfer and therefore the Hornets are entitled to a compensation package. The Vicarage Road club are thought to be wanting in excess of £250,000 for the player while Rangers are happy to settle at £200-250k.

Cook who had a very successful loan spell at Loftus Road the season before last has set his heart on a move to Loftus Road and despite being offered a new improved deal at Watford looks set to reject in favour of his boyhood heroes.

Since returning from holiday last week, Cookie has been inundated with phone calls from Hornets boss Ray Lewington hoping to persuade Cook with last-ditch offers and promises. The player is now thought to be fed-up with the wrangling between clubs and hopes to sign as soon as possible.

Cook has long been Ian Holloway’s number one summer target but although the R’s manager has a list of players he would like to talk to Holloway has always insisted that his first priority is to get his out-of-contract players re-signed.

With Marc Bircham and Paul Furlong now secured on a 3-year and 1-year deal respectively, negotiations have continued with the three other out-of-contract players Holloway wants to keep - Matthew Rose, Richard Johnson and Richard Edghill. The trio are expected to put pen-to-paper in the coming week.

Martin Rowlands and Kevin Gallen have also been offered new contracts. Despite their deals not ending until 2005 the club have offered extensions to their current deals in the hope of securing the long-term services of both key players.

Ollie this week contacted the representatives of Everton youngster Peter Clarke about a possible move south. Clarke played in the same youth team as Kevin McLeod and has just rejected a new contract by the Toffees in the hope of finding new horizons. The 22-year old enjoyed a successful loan spell at Blackpool last season and can play at centre-back or right-back.

Coventry released Onandi Lowe, formerly of Rushden & Diamonds earlier this month. It is thought that if Ollie cannot pull of the signing of Barry Hayles he will turn his attentions to the Jamaican. Lowe was very impressive at Nene Park last season for Rushden, especially in the 3-3 encounter in early September and is available on a free transfer.

Names such as Robbie Stockdale, Jody Morris, Liam Lawrence and Micah Hyde have all been mentioned and the R’s manager has spoken to all four about possible moves but it remains to see if he can fight of stiff competition for any of the players he currently has his eye on.

His main concern is finding a replacement for Clarke Carlisle at the heart of the Rangers defence. Ollie has already made it clear he is less than impressed with the list of players available to sign.

Rangers may look abroad for an alternative with help from recently appointed director Gianni Paladini, a former agent who was brought on board partly to assist Holloway in making new signings.

Potential acquisitions in Italy, France and Switzerland have been sized up.

As revealed exclusively by QPR MAD last week, the manager has also appointed a new assistant to be in place for the start of pre-season training on July 1^st. We are still in a position where we cannot reveal the individuals identity but we will bring you the exclusive news as soon as we can.

For all the latest news at Loftus Road including contract talks, transfer targets, pre-season preparations and news about a new assistant; log on to QPR MAD.