Right since Coppell, Madejski and Hammond have stated that investment in reinforcements will most likely happen i thought i would create a thread to discuss the latest rumours and potential ins and outs at the Club over the next few weeks, until the transfer window slams shut once more.
Potential Ins that i have heard:
Erik Edman - Ex
Spurs full back currently playing his football at Lens has and, since January 1st, been given permission to discuss potential contracts with other clubs after confirming that if he is not sold in this window he will leave the club on a Bosman when is contract ends in the Summer. Seems like a Premiership return is the most likely move with us being on of the many clubs he is being linked with. In my opinion, this would be a superb signing, particularly if Nicky Shorey were to leave in the same window. I remember him as a solid, reliable full back with a bit of an eye for goal although his constant moving around is a little cause for concern, as well as his potential high wage demands.
Illco Naumoski - 6"2 Macedonian Striker who can also be deployed on the right side of Midfield would you believe, currently playing for SV Mattesburg in Austria and has also been linked with Middlesbrough and French side Le Mans. The lad claims to be '99 % sure that Reading will be his next club' but also says he is not sure if that will be in January at the end of the season. Now i can't really speak of his ability having never seen him play but i am a little skeptical whether this is indeed true. Coppell has never been one to sign players who make statements in the meda such as this and if it is true this is a signing fr the Summer and not for January.
Matthew Taylor - Well known left sided player at
Portsmouth but due to limited appearances at Fratton Park so far this season, has been linked to moves across the Premier League. I would be in no doubt this would be an awe inspiring capture but with the caliber of clubs also linked with his signature this is a real long shot. Would be a great replacement should Shorey depart and is very versatile. Scores some great goals, has a great work ethic and seems a real team player.
Brahim Hemdani - One or two rumours flying around linking us with a move for Rangers' French Midfield general who was named their player of the year by the Clubs fans last season. 29 year old Hemdani can play either in centre Midfield or in the back four and i have seen him play a few times for the Glaswegian side this season and i have been generally impressed by his movement of the ball and his assertiveness. Were he to be available at a reasonable price, I would welcome this signing to add some steel and options to the centre of our Midfield.
Sebastien Puygrenier - A position we need more quality competition for particularly during this season, and we have been linked with a move for AS Nancy's 25 year old centre back Puygrenier. Believed to command a fee of around £3 Million if a move were to come about, but like Naumoski i have never seen the guy play so i cannot state whether this would or would not be a good signing.
Stelios - We have been linked with the Greek right Midfielder during the past few weeks and despite his age it is a signing i would greatly welcome, even if it were just for the short term. Since the injury to Glen Little, and the uselessness/injury woes of John Oster, we have been deploying left footed left Midfielder Bobby Convey on the right hand side and competition is virtually non existent for the American. Stelios has stagnated somewhat over recent months at The Reebok, and although recent games have seen somewhat a mini revival in fortunes from the Greek, i think he would welcome a move elsewhere. A short term contract and a decent price would see him come here i think.
Micheal Mifsud The Maltese man who has been lighting up the Championship at the Ricoh Arena this season was inevitably going to find himself being linked with Premiership Clubs in this window, and i have heard our name thrown into the hat. Can play up front or down the flanks his knack of scoring at the right times has impressed many this season. Quick, skilfull, dependable and great finishing seem to be his best traits. My two concerns about him are firstly, the fact that only half a season has he been making the headlines and secondly the ridiculous £5 million tag being touted by Coventry. Will not be paying that!
Potential Outs:
Graham Stack Third Choice keeper who will certainly be offloaded, whether in January or during the Summer. Particularly with the rumour of a Goalkeeper arriving in the Summer, Stack's future clearly does not lie here at Reading. Was sent on loan to Wolves recently and sat on the bench there.
Potential Suitors: Wolves, Any other Lower League Club who has an interest.
Nicky Shorey - Always linked with a move away, and with his contract running down in the Summer, if we can find a suitable left back of a similar caliber i think we may just be persuaded to sell him to make a profit. Although it is unlikely that we will i think, and his form has been seriously up and down all season.
Potential Suitors:
West Ham,
Manchester United,
Everton.
Stephen Hunt - Don't really know why i am including Hunty as Coppell has already categorically stated that Hunt is currently our most crucial performer and will be going nowhere in January. But despite that constant rumours linking him with
Everton and Sunderland have occurred once more and rumours also state that we turned down a laughable bid of £2.5 Million from Roy 'I think i have got a god given right to sign anyone who is Irish' Keane. Very confident he is going nowhere, no need to sell at all.
Potential Suitors:
Everton.
Leroy Lita - 23 year old Lita has featured very rarely this season in our league campaign due to laughably poor early season form and incident off the field. Coppell prefers the team ethic and work rate of young Shane Long to Lita's inconsistency and occasional acts of defiant individuality. Linked with QPR,West Brom and Pompey and if a bid arrived of anything of £4 Million or over, think he will be on his way.
Potential Suitors: QPR, West Brom, Pompey.
Kevin Doyle - Avram Grant is said to have expressed a keen interest in Doyle, presumably on the advice of ex-Royal Steve Sidwell, and is said to be making a move for the Irishman in January along with Nicholas Anelka although his form has been largely inconsistent, he is far too important to be sold off whatever the price.
Potential Suitors:
Chelsea.
