So, bringing in a 35 year-old to play beside him was perhaps too much the Home Guard and 'Dad's Army'.
It was said Alan Pardew wanted to sign Rio Ferdinand but Mike Ashley knocked it for six because of the player's wages and age.
QPR manager Harry Redknapp is confident of finalising a deal for Ferdinand, insisting the former Manchester United defender is keen to move to Loftus Road.
Ferdinand has been working for the BBC at the World Cup in Brazil for the past month but Redknapp will resume talks upon his return.
The 35-year-old, who has won six league titles, two League Cups, one Champions League and a Club World Cup, left United after his contract was not renewed at the end of last season.