Reading defender Liam Moore has been lined up for a big-money move to Celtic – two years after Leeds United missed their chance.
If Celtic get their way, Liam Moore will be making a big jump from the Championship to the Champions League.
The 24-year-old has been in excellent form for The Royals since moving from Leicester City in the summer of 2016 and Celtic are ready to test their resolve with an opening bid of £5 million.
And with Reading’s Championship rivals Leeds United enduring a disastrous run of seven defeats in nine games, their failure to sign Moore back in 2015 looks increasingly pertinent.
The Yorkshire Post reported that The Whites were very much interested in the former England Under-21 international – only for Moore to sign instead for Reading 12 months on.
These days, Moore stands proud as one of the most impressive defenders in the entire Championship, helping Reading reach the play-off final last season and even standing out despite an underwhelming start to the current campaign.
He has more than justified Celtic’s interest, not to mention his £5 million price tag. And when you compare his statistics this season to those of the defenders currently on Leeds’ books, it becomes clear just how much they should regret missing the opportunity to bring the in-form defender to Elland Road when they had the chance.
| Errors Lead To Chance per game | Tackles won per game | Clearances per game | Duels Won per game | Interceptions Won per game | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liam Cooper | 0.08 | 0.92 | 6.25 | 4.08 | 1.5 |
| Pontus Jansson | 0.08 | 1.31 | 9.31 | 4.62 | 1.08 |
| Liam Moore | 0 | 0.93 | 6 | 6 | 1.27 |
| Matthew Pennington | 0.17 | 0.67 | 9.67 | 4.5 | 1.17 |
Moore has not only averaged more interceptions and won more duels per game than Matthew Pennington, Liam Cooper and the out-of-form Pontus Jansson, he has also made fewer errors and has showcased a consistency his rivals simply cannot match.
Two years on, it goes without saying that Leeds could do with Liam Moore. Instead, it appears the defender could be en route to the top of the European game with Celtic instead.
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