Reading are desperate to keep reported West Ham United and Crystal Palace target Omar Richards, with coach Veljko Paunovic labelling the defender a ‘very important’ cog in his Royals machine when speaking to Berkshire Live.
This strange old league appears to take pride in making the pundits look foolish.
Hands up who expected a talented if unfancied Reading side to win seven of their first eight games of the season, making the best start of any team in Championship history along the way?
Since picking up 22 of the first 24 points available, however, Paunovic’s team have now lost four games in a row, with Bournemouth’s stunning 4-2 comeback win on Saturday leaving Reading sixth in the table.
With the Berkshire-based outfit hoping to re-establish themselves as genuine promotion candidates, they will be desperate to hang onto a number of key players, with the looming January window bringing speculation over the futures of Michael Olise, Liam Moore and left-back Richards.
The Reading Chronicle reported in October that Premier League duo Crystal Palace and West Ham are interested in the England U21 international, who will become a free agent in July 2021.
“Of course (I want to keep Richards),” Paunovic said.
“He’s a very important part of the team. He has been one of the players who has had more games and minutes [than others].
“He has had fantastic participation so far and we’re looking at him as a very, very important part of the team, not only this year but also in the future.”
It remains to be seen whether the former Fulham youngster will put pen to paper on a new, long-term deal with West Ham and Palace offering him a fast-track to the Premier League.
Crystal Palace have already raided the Championship for Eberchi Eze, Nathan Ferguson and Jack Butland this year.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
