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Redknapp upbeat on signing Caulker

Queens Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp is hopeful of signing Steven Caulker after agreeing a fee with Cardiff for the centre-back.

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Caulker, 22, has been looking to leave the Bluebirds this summer following the club's relegation to the Championship.

And after completing a deal to sign Rio Ferdinand on a free transfer on Thursday, Redknapp feels Caulker will be keen to team up with the former England captain at Loftus Road.

"We've agreed a fee for Steven Caulker, who I like very much," he told Sky Sports News. "I had him at Tottenham as a player and he's done very well.

"I think for him to come and play with Rio would be a great experience for him."

Redknapp revealed QPR face competition from other sides for Caulker's signature, with the likes of Crystal Palace and Southampton having been linked with the player.

But the former Tottenham boss again believes the opportunity to partner Ferdinand in the heart of defence will be one that is too hard to resist.

"He's got a couple of other clubs interested in him but I think he feels if he was playing with Rio, it could help him get back into the England team," Redknapp is quoted as saying by BBC Sport.

Redknapp added to Sky Sports: "I think Rio will be a big influence on him. I think for Steven it will be the best education he could ever have in his life to play with Rio."

Caulker, who joined Cardiff from Tottenham last summer, has won one cap for England, scoring against Sweden on his international debut in 2012.

The defender was at Spurs during Redknapp's reign, but failed to make a single Premier League appearance under him.