Reading manager Veljko Paunovic has confirmed his desire to keep John Swift and Tom Holmes amid interest from Nottingham Forest and Premier League giants Leeds United, speaking to the Reading Chronicle.
Considering that Swift has been linked continuously with a move to Elland Road over the last few months, we’d assume that you’ve been made aware by now of those comments Marcelo Bielsa made two years ago.
“Swift is a great player,” the former Argentina, Marseille and Chile coach said in February 2020.
“I value him a lot. He is a player who appears suddenly in attack and the same in transition between defence and attack.”
Of course, Paunovic doesn’t need telling how important Swift is to this Reading side.
A tally of eight largely spectacular goals and nine assists in a struggling side this season speak volumes about the former Chelsea youngster’s influence.
Unfortunately for Paunovic, Swift is out of contract this summer and a cash-strapped Reading may not be able to compete with the offers on the table from elsewhere.
According to The Star, Swift has admirers not just at Leeds but also at Burnley and Wolves.
Tom Holmes in another Reading man in demand, the talented young centre-half reappearing on Nottingham Forest’s radar (Mail).
Will John Swift and Tom Holmes leave Reading?
“We want to keep them both,” admits the former Chicago Fire coach. “It’s good to hear actually those rumours that these players have value but so far we are good with them. We don’t want distractions.
“I think they show good performances and commitment to the club and as long as that doesn’t change nothing’s going to change on our end. We definitely need both of them in the best possible shape.”
“We would love those we want to extend. We are doing the best we can (to get new deals sorted).”
Nottingham Forest made two bids for Holmes last summer without success.
Having already snapped up Steve Cook from Bournemouth this month, however, Reading fans may be hoping that Holmes is now on the backburner.
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