Reading FC Duo Linked With Moves To The Premier League

Someone at The Mirror has seemingly spent the afternoon taking a look down Reading's squad list, as within the last two hours, two Royals have been linked with moves away from Berkshire by the tabloid.

Firstly, at 5:10pm, they reported that Liam Moore would be targeted by Burnley should Michael Keane leave Turf Moor for Manchester United. This one seems slightly strange for two reasons. First, Moore has repeatedly spoken of how he moved to Reading last summer to not only settle down with his family but also to gain regular playing time, thus signing a four year contract at the Madejski Stadium. For him to move away after just a season, uprooting his partner and child and not guaranteeing football week in week out, would seem a little hypocritical. Secondly, and I mean this in no disrespect to Moore, Burnley would surely be looking to target a centre-back of much higher quality than the former Leicester man to replace England international Keane who could allegedly fetch £25 million.

Just 33 minutes after that rumour, The Mirror were at it again at 5:43pm, this time suggesting that Swansea City are keen on signing Liam Kelly, who yesterday you voted as the Reading FC rookie of the year. Apparently the Welsh club see Kelly as a long-term replacement for Leon Britton who, despite playing a key role in their survival last season, won't be sticking around for much longer at the age of 35. This one makes a little more sense as Kelly is indeed a very similar player to Britton, with both being 5ft 5in midfielders who sit just in front of the defence and dictate the play. Nonetheless, Reading would be silly to let one of their most promising youngsters in a long time depart, especially as he only signed a new contract at the end of December.

These rumours were almost inevitable with Reading having just lost the play-off final, and I'm sure we are in for a summer full of reports linking every Royal and his dog to the top flight. My personal view is to never believe a rumour until you see the player in question holding up their new club's shirt!