Lokomotiv Moscow ‘disrespected’ and pull out of deal to sign QPR Steven Caulker
The Russians thought deal was in place when Caulker completed medical on deadline day but Lokomotiv question defenders attitude to getting career back on track and pull out of deal
LOKOMOTIV MOSCOW have pulled the plug on a deal to sign QPR defender Steven Caulker, after feeling 'disrespected' by the player and his representatives, SunSport understands.
The 25-year-old who has been out of action with a hip injury since last October, completed a medical at Lokomotiv's training base in Marbella on deadline day.
Lokomotiv Sporting Director Erik Stoffelshaus was hoping to wrap up the deal so the former Spurs defender could settle in before the resumption of the Russian Premier League in March.
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The Russians thought they struck a deal to take the defender on loan with a view to permanent deal in the summer.
A three-and-a-half year contract was agreed if Caulker decided to stay long term, nearly doubling his current Loftus Road pay packet.
But things started to turn sour when Caulker returned to home the next day to plead guilty to being drunk and disorderly after completing his medical.
The player and his representative were booked on a flight back to Spain the following day to complete the formalities on the deal, when Lokomotiv were informed Caulker no longer wanted to go on loan.
Lokomotiv even tweeted Caulker at their Spanish training base from behind as if the deal was nearly over the line.
The Russians tried revive the deal in London last week, however SunSport have been told Lokomotiv refused to bow to the player and his representatives excessive wage demands of around £100,000 per week on the agreed three-and-a-half year permanent deal.
A Russian source revealed:"The deal for Caulker is not going ahead, Lokomotiv felt they were disrespected by the player and his agent through the process.
"They thought they had a deal in place and all the paperwork was ready to be signed, but the player and his representatives demands were not realistic and detached from the reality of the Russian transfer market.
"Lokomotiv felt he did not show enough effort or desire to get his career back on track so they will look for other alternatives."