Joe Cole heads the list as QPR target new signings

Neil Warnock wants to sign up to five players to improve his squad, with Liverpool's midfielder topping the wanted list.

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Neil Warnock, the Queens Park Rangers manager, says Malaysian tycoon Tony Fernandes's takeover at Loftus Road could allow him to sign Joe Cole from Liverpool.

Fernandes became QPR's majority shareholder last week when he bought a 66 per cent stake in the Premier League club, and the new owner has given Warnock the green light to make signings before the transfer window shuts on August 31.

Warnock hopes to bring in up to five new players to improve his squad following last season's promotion from the Championship and Cole, the England midfielder, is top of his wanted list.

Cole started just nine Premier League games last season and has not been involved in Kenny Dalglish's squad for the opening two fixtures of the current campaign. The former Chelsea player's wages have previously been mooted as a stumbling block for any transfer, but Warnock knows the injection of funds by Fernandes has given him a chance to land Cole - possibly on loan if Liverpool agree to pay part of his salary.

"Joe Cole? We can probably afford 30 or 40 per cent of his wages now. The chairman knows all my targets, and we are discussing them," Warnock said.

"This man coming in, Tony Fernandes, is a dream come true. You do not often get the opportunity to look at players I have only dreamed about. I am in Utopia.

"We will not just spend money for the sake of it. We have to get quality players in to the club.