Former Fulham player Chris Baird has snubbed QPR to join Championship rivals Reading.
The former Fulham defender has been training with Harry Redknapp's side for more than a month and was offered a contract at Loftus Road.
Rangers tried to push through the signing yesterday, only for the Royals to hijack the deal and make the Northern Irishman a better offer.
It comes as a big blow for Redknapp, who has just two fit centre-backs for tomorrow's trip to Yeovil after Nedum Onuoha was ruled out with a serious hamstring injury.
But the former Spurs chief insists QPR did all they could to land the versatile 31-year-old.
"I tried to sign him yesterday but he's gone to Reading," Redknapp confirmed.
"He would've been perfect for us. We made him a decent offer and were hoping to get it done, then got a phone call to say he's gone to Reading.
"I don't know what happened. He obviously got offered more money at Reading and decided to go there.
"We made him a very fair offer and couldn't have done any more."
Redknapp is desperate to bolster his backline and is also scouring the loan market to bring in a striker following injuries to Bobby Zamora and Andy Johnson.
He added: "We're looking around for one or two players. We need a central defender and at least one striker."