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Reading FC Keen To Sell Chris Gunter

Jaap Stam reportedly wants to offload the Welsh international, with plenty of clubs interested.

Reading v AFC Bournemouth - Pre-Season Friendly Photo by Ben Hoskins/Getty Images

According to The Mirror, Reading want to sell right-back Chris Gunter before the transfer window shuts next week.

The 27 year old has a £1 million release clause, put into his contract when he signed a new two year deal in February, which in today's market is incredibly low and means that there will be no shortage of interest.

Gunter impressed in Wales' run to the Euro 2016 semi-finals, with the newspaper naming Premier League sides Sunderland and Hull City as keen to sign him, as well as "several Championship clubs". Only two weeks ago, the Sun linked the 27 year old with a move to Derby Count for £1.2 million.

The Tigers were also linked with the right-back last month, but with no permanent manager and a potential takeover in the pipeline, a move to the KC Stadium currently looks unlikely for Gunter. Sunderland meanwhile, have already signed a right-back this summer as they brought in Donald Love from Manchester United, so would Gunter sit on the bench on Wearside?

What confuses me about this rumour is the suggestion that the club "want" to sell Gunter. I would understand if a bid came in and they were forced to accept such as with Aaron Tshibola and Oliver Norwood, but it seems they strange they are keen to see him off.

A new right-back was seemingly on Stam's agenda anyway, so would selling Gunter mean that we would see two new players arrive in that position? Gunter is also one of the more accomplished players in raw and inexperienced squad, winning 73 international caps and barely missing a club game over the past few seasons.

It has to be said, 19 year old Tennai Watson has earned praise when he has featured so far this season, but is he too young and inexperienced to be our regular right-back for the rest of the campaign?

Gunter is clearly a player who divides the opinion of Reading fans, so let us know your thoughts on the rumour in the comments below.