Reading’s Tiago Ilori has been linked with Sporting.
Reading manager Jose Gomes says it is common to receive proposals from other clubs but admits he doesn’t know if there is any truth in Sporting’s alleged move for Tiago Ilori, the Reading Chronical report.
“Big clubs ask for important players. If we have good players and the market is open we can understand clubs want important players,” Gomes told the Reading Chronicle.
“A lot of our players can have proposals from another club, we don’t know. I don’t know if Tiago is a rumour or if it’s true. I do know it’s normal for clubs to look at good players.”
According to a recent report in Portuguese editorial Record, Sporting are in negotiations with Reading over Ilori with their last offer just under £2 million. Reading, though, are said to be holding out for £2.5 million.
Should the Royals decide to sell the former Sporting youth player for that fee, then they will be taking a reported £1 million loss on the player they allegedly bought for £3.5 million a year ago, according to the Reading Chronicle.
Ilori has made 18 starts for Reading this season, averaging 1.7 interceptions and 5.4 clearances per Championship game (Whoscored).
The 25-year-old has a contract at the Madejski Stadium until 2020, therefore if Reading are to consider selling, now could be where is at peak value with his price-tag likely to drop from the summer onwards.
Reading have other options at centre-back such as Liam Moore, John O’Shea, Tom McIntyre and even Tyler Blackett can play in the middle, but Ilori is arguably their best central defender on the books.
The Berkshire club are in 22nd place in the Championship table, two points from safety having conceded 41 goals in 27 games.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
