Transfer Watch 24/06/09; Stars heading back to the Prem?

By: Ben | June 24th, 2009

I’ve been monitoring this one for the last few days and both BBC Sport and Sky Sports have been reporting increasing interest in Reading winger Stephen Hunt. Now, as mentioned last post, I wouldn’t have begrudged Hunt a move for various reasons (his lack of spark post-Christmas, always being mentioned in the media etc.) and it seems that it’s now moved onto a new level.

Out
Speaking to Sky Sports, Hunt fully came out and expressed his desire to seek a “fresh start away from the club” (click link for full interview). He mentions being loyal to the club and I think that the club’s failure to gain promotion, along with his poor form which ultimately cost him a first-team regular spot signalled the beginning of the end of Hunt’s Reading career. His desire and enjoyment at playing in the top tier is well documented, and maybe Hunt felt his personal need exceeded that of his beloved club. Either way, by him admitting on video that he needs to move will open up several doors, and it’s safe to say to I don’t think Stephen Hunt will be a part of Reading’s promotion challenge next season. And it’s not just me either, the club have come to terms with his wishes and decided not to stand in his way.
Boss Rogers told the Reading Chronicle

“I will always pay respect to players.

Once you’ve been in the Premier League and have shown that you can play in there, it can be very difficult to spend your time in the Championship.

It’s not something new, I think Stephen was looking to go last season but decided to stay right through thinking Reading might go up.”

Direct of Football Nicky Hammond agrees;

“Hunty has been fantastic for us. He wants a Premiership move having had one season in the Championship and I can understand that and if there is a deal that is right for all parties then we’ll have to have a look at it, but at this point there is not.”

More on this as it develops, including potential replacements.

The other player being flitted around by the media is star striker Kevin Doyle. It seems the initial interest from Wolves has sparked interest from familiar story clubs Everton, Sunderland and Spurs. Now I really don’t know about this, before I’d heard about the interest I was sure that Kev would remain one of the faithfuls and maybe even be in line for the available captaincy, but the more it increases, the more I can see him leaving. A £6.5m release clause is not likely to put a club off, infact it’s very good value for money, and again like Hunt before him, the prospect of top-tier football is very appealing. Certainly, a strikeforce of Ebanks-Blake and Doyle for Wolves would prove some spectacle but it’d very much be shortchanging Reading. Shane Long is arguably a replacement choice but I still feel he’s only a shadow of Doyle’s quality. Once Noel Hunt is back from injury I cannot see Long fighting the likes of Doyle and N.Hunt for a spot. He’s most definitely an exciting prospect and who knows, maybe the loss of Doyle is exactly what he needs to flourish. Most likely outcome if Doyle was to leave for me, would be for him to sign for Wolves where he’d be united with once Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy. I maintain that Sunderland and Everton would not suit his style, and Spurs are maybe looking at higher qualities (c. Ruud VN).
Oh, there’s also talk of a double-deal for both of them, but eesh the implications are too long to try and write about right now.

In
Fresh from his time at Chelsea and Watford, Brendan is eyeing up young Chelsea star Jack Cork. Rogers worked with the 19 year old at both clubs, and sees the defender as a good addition to the squad. I only hope if the deal goes through he gets more time than our other promising youngster Simon Church has this season.

And finally, not so much a transfer, but Reading Reserve ‘keeper Ben Hamer has signed a new contract amidst talks of him becoming the new no.1 for the first-team. Sorry what? A 21-year old who spent the last 3 seasons at the likes of Brentford and Crawley over Adam Federici who played half the first team games last season and was nominated for the prestigious Australian Harry Kewell Award? Uhm, anyone else see the evident flaw there? Just me then. I mean, even Mikkel Andersson!…