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Remember the last time Russians were involved in the running of Reading FC? Of course you do. Or maybe you've tried to banish the memory. Well they could be back!
Nizar Hanini, a French journalist who used to write for Media365 and Sport24, tweeted last week that AS Monaco were looking at buying shares at Reading so that we could become a feeder club for the Principality side.
INFO : Monaco a des vues sur le club de Reading (pas tout mais des parts) afin de pouvoir prêter les jeunes joueurs achetés. #reding #asm
— Nizar Hanini (@Nizar_Hanini) February 20, 2016
This has now been picked up by respected French sports newspaper L'Equipe. They are reporting that the man behind this move is Monaco's President Dmitry Rybolovlev.
Rybolovlev is apparently set to become a shareholder of Reading FC with a 20% stake. This move would then allow Monaco to loan players to Reading.
Monaco already have links with Portuguese sides Braga, Varzim and Vitoria Guimaraes (where Paolo Hurtado is on loan). They also have a partnership with Belgian side Zulte-Waregem.
It is perhaps a tad ironic that these rumours have surfaced a day after Reading fans witnessed Charlton fans protesting against their owners who have tried to create a similar partnership of clubs. A more successful example is Watford who have enjoyed success with this model under their Italian owners.
We will have to wait and see whether there is any substance to this rumour. It is certainly an interesting development and perhaps shows that the Thais are looking for outside investment to support their running of the club.