Harry Redknapp has admitted that he wanted to recall Adel Taarabt from his loan spell with Fulham before Italian giants AC Milan made their approach in the transfer window.
The Queens Park Rangers boss has said that he is shocked at the deal, which will see Taarabt play for the Rossoneri until the end of the season.
However, he says that he did contemplate the idea of taking the midfielder back to Loftus Road.
"I would have [brought Taarabt back] at that time, but Milan came in so it was difficult," Redknapp told GetwestLondon.co.uk.
Taarabt scored on his Milan debut in a 3-1 defeat to Napoli last week.