Reading FC

Reading FC have already rejected Sheffield Wednesday's £700,000 bid for Michail Antonio
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Sheffield Wednesday told to improve £700,000 offer for Michail Antonio

By Jonny Fordham
July 25, 2012

Nick Hammond has told Sheffield Wednesday to stump up the cash if they want to land Michail Antonio.

Reading’s director of football spoke to Owls chairman Milan Mandaric last night and revealed: “The ball is in their court.

“We are in no rush to sell Michail and there are plenty of clubs who are interested in him. We’re having a good look at him over these 10 days in Portugal and at the moment he is very much part of our squad.”

The winger played the second half of last night’s 2-0 defeat by Wednesday in Estadio Municipal de Albufeira.

Before the game Hammond joined Royals owner Anton Zingarevich, chief executive Nigel Howe and manager Brian McDermott in meeting up with Mandaric and Owls boss Dave Jones.

Madejski Stadium chiefs have already rejected £700,000 for the 22-year-old former non-league star.

Antonio has just one year left on his contract and a number of Wednesday fans took matters into their own hands in Portugal last night by chanting at Mandaric ‘Sign him up, sign him up, sign him up.’

Last week McDermott confirmed that Antonio had expressed an interest in leaving the club in search of first-team football, now that there is competition from Garath McCleary as well as Jimmy Kebe for the right-wing role.

One player who certainly won’t play any part for Reading in the first half of the season is talented centre-back Michael Hector.

The 6ft 4ins defender has signed a six-month loan deal with League One side Shrewsbury Town.

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It's a real shame we have to sell Antonio. But given his age and talent he really should've played more games by now when compared against his contemparies. In those last few games he really seemed to and even looked liked he enjoyed pulling Wednesday through to promotion. Even from Murty's testimonial I thought he looked a bright spark in our future, more so than Gylfi at the time. I wasn't even bothered that we might lose Kebe knowing Antonio was in the wings (quite literally) to maybe take his place.

Part of me hoped the club would do as they have with Mills and put him out to pasture and gain more game time once again, but now we've bought McCleary it really would be a waste I suppose. It's a shame as I really have a feeling we'll regret doing this in the not too distant future.

Hopeful Hoops, Reading
25/07/2012 at 13:03

If they don't stump up....keep him, Kebe gets injured a fair bit so there's always chance for Michail.

Why does Kebe keep getting injured? Long term thing?