Tony Fernandes will not sanction the sale of Loic Remy to Newcastle United this month, despite Harry Redknapp encouraging the Premier League club to make a bid.

Remy joined Newcastle on loan in August following QPR’s relegation to the Championship last season, and has scored 12 goals in 21 appearances so far.

Redknapp this week revealed he was surprised that Newcastle have not made a permanent offer for a player he believes is now worth £16m – twice what QPR paid Marseille for the 27-year-old’s services back in January.

But while Redknapp is keen to sell Remy, the Times understands that QPR owner Fernandes is unwilling to part with his prize asset, and will dig his heels in to prevent a move. Fernandes is convinced that Rangers can return to the top flight at the end of the season, and sees Remy as a key part of the club’s future.

Redknapp told West London Sport: “I don’t know what the deal is. You’d think they’d want to snap him up, wouldn’t you? If they don’t then someone else will. For what we got him for, he’s probably worth double that now. He’s scored goals in the Premier League again this year.”

On the prospect of Remy helping QPR in the Premier League, Redknapp added: “That’s all ifs and buts. You’ve got to get there first, and if someone came and offered £15m or £16m for him, I’d sell him if it was my choice. But it’s not, it’s down to the chairman.”

Fernandes, who convinced Remy to sign for QPR and has a good personal relationship with the player, also believes Remy would prefer to return to Loftus Road rather than remain at St James’ Park at the end of the campaign, and would only consider leaving if an offer came in from a Champions League club.

Meanwhile, Redknapp is set to step up his hunt for a striker in the coming days, after failing to agree a deal for Everton striker Nikica Jelavic.

Jelavic scored twice against Rangers in last weekend’s FA Cup third round tie, and Toffees manager Roberto Martinez wants to keep him at Goodison Park.