Reading FC

Blackpool winger Thomas Ince has been rated at around £8million by his club
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Reading FC linked with Blackpool winger Thomas Ince

By Jonny Fordham
January 28, 2013

Reading have joined the race to sign Blackpool winger Thomas Ince, according to reports.

The 20-year-old is a long-time target of Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool and rated at around £8million by his Championship club.

And some sources claim that Royals have already seen a £6.5million offer knocked back.

Swansea City are also said to be keen on the England Under-21 international with the Seasiders almost resigned to losing him before the transfer window closes on Thursday.

"I have heard the speculation, but everything has a price," said Blackpool caretaker manager Steve Thompson

"You see certain players going for big money and he is just as good as them. "So if he is going to go, he is not going to go cheap. He is a special talent. If Tom goes, he goes, and he has earned it because he has been fantastic.

"He is still a little baby really and still has a lot to learn. But he has an end product and goals. If someone comes in they will get a special player, but we are not going to give special players away for cheap at Blackpool."

Reading are also keen on Tottenham Hotspur winger David Bentley who was on loan at Rostov in the Russian Premier League earlier this season.

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i'd probably prefer Ronnie over Nick seeing how he played on saturday!

Martin Cairns
29/01/2013 at 10:25

Martin Cairns. Thank god for that..........I thought it was Ronnie for a moment!!!!

Tilidie, Woodley
29/01/2013 at 10:10

just seen on Sky Sports from their 'sources' that Reading are in the hunt for Nick Blackman!

Martin Cairns
29/01/2013 at 09:48

Here we go again. If it's an attempt to "con the fans", it's coming from the press, not the club.

It's not about the team being reconstructed, it's about the team evolving. (Evolution, not revolution, if you like).

The change to the 451 has definitely made us more difficult to play against, and because we are "staying in games", it gives us licence to have a go in the latter stages of games. We've all seen that by keeping it tight at 451 tends to constrain us in attack. Seems to me that a move for the type of player like Ince, who carries a genuine goal threat, (look at his record) adds something new to our squad. Let's face it, Kebe blows hot and cold, and McAnuff tends to lose his composure when presented with a shooting opportunity. I'll grant that McCleary is improving, though. A bit more goal power from midfield will make us less likely to have to roll the dice in the latter stages of games.

ray northstander
29/01/2013 at 09:19

And anyway, another winger is the last player we desperately need. Just find someone who can play up front and Alfie can feed off. It is too late now to reconstruct the team into a ball playing side for this season.

Bingley, Woodley
28/01/2013 at 20:54

Fantasy Football!

Uncle Buck, Reading
28/01/2013 at 18:31

If anybody thinks RFC will spend that sort of money on a player. They need to see a shrink or get away day ticket to Aldershot for a therapy session.

cavlad007
28/01/2013 at 18:25

Unfortunately, this is another atempt to con the fans into thinking our new owner is p----ing with the big boys.

Don't be fooled, Reading would never spend that sort of money.

Tilehurst Ender, Spencers wood
28/01/2013 at 16:30

Ince is an outstanding young player, but the suggestion Liverpool would pay in excess of £4 million for a player they released 2 years ago is fanciful, particularly considering the cash BR has blown on average players like Allen and Borinni.

As for us; no chance whatsoever. We wouldn't pay the fee required to prize him away from Blackpool and certainly wouldn't offer the wages he'd expect to command, even if we could persuade him to consider us.

As for David Bentley - A player with undoubted ability. Not sure his various Managers have been entirely convinced by his attitude and when did he last warrant a sustained run in the Premier League? Five years ago at Blackburn? No thank you.

Michael Duberry's Defensive Coach
28/01/2013 at 15:25

I read they're after Diame to replace Sandro and Holtby will play off the striker.

Dariusz Wdowczyk
28/01/2013 at 14:55

Dariusz they only wanted to sign Holtby earlier than the summer as Sandro has been ruled out for the season, so if they also get rid of Gylfi they'd be back at square one!

Martin Cairns
28/01/2013 at 14:42

Not happening..

no bid was ever made

Dick Van Dyke
28/01/2013 at 14:32

I'm getting the feeling that Reading are being used here to try to get more money out of Liverpool. Ince is a decent enough player but £8m is way over the top and he plays in a position where we already have more than enough talent. Also on his TV appearances on Thursday (Sky) and Saturday (BBC) Ince's father Paul claimed a club other than Liverpool were interested but refused to name them. Why even mention other interest if you have no intention of naming the club concerned?

If Blackpool are orchestrating a campaign to create a false auction to put the asking price for Ince up I really hope it backfires on them spectacularly.

RBC Traffic Management are Useless, Calcot
28/01/2013 at 12:48

Hearing whispers that Gylfi could be on his way after Tottenham sign Holtby! Would love it to happen.

Dariusz Wdowczyk
28/01/2013 at 12:45

Firstly, he is not worth anywhere near £8M and secondly, if we were prepared to spend £8M (which I doubt) then the club could buy 2 or maybe 3 good Prem players.