Published: Thursday, 7th August, 2008 10:00
Shorey undergoes medical at Villa
By Anthony Smith
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On the move: Nicky Shorey is poised to leave Reading for Aston Villa in a £4.5 million move before the weekend.
NICKY Shorey’s year-long battle to leave Reading will reach an end today (Thursday) when he completes a £4.5 million move to Aston Villa.
The Royals have agreed a fee for the 27-year-old left-back who is set to undergo a medical at Villa Park this afternoon.
It has been reported that Villa, Portsmouth and Sunderland all had equal bids accepted, leaving Shorey free to plump for the club of his choice.
Sunderland emerged as front runners last week, but it is thought Shorey now wants European football which he will get with Aston Villa and FA Cup winners Portsmouth, who are both in the UEFA Cup.
Shorey was then tipped to join ex-Royal and best mate Glen Little at Portsmouth following the winger's recent move to Fratton Park.
But sources in the Midlands insist Villa boss Martin O’Neill, whose side drew 1-1 with Reading last weekend, is determined to win the race to sign Shorey as a replacement for the injured Wilfred Bouma.
Shorey will link up with ex-Royals midfielder Steve Sidwell who recently moved to Villa from Chelsea for £5.5 million.
Shorey's transfer includes a substantial sell-on fee to Leyton Orient, the club Reading signed him from for a mere £25,000 in 2000.
His departure will also clear the way for Coppell to sign a new left-back, which he hopes to do before Sunday’s Championship curtain-raiser against Nottingham Forest.
The Royals were remaining tight-lipped with regards to Shorey’s final destination and director of football, Nick Hammond, said: “Developments are at a sensitive stage but I think a deal allowing him to leave will be made before the weekend.
“I’ve had discussions with a number of clubs over a period of time and I’m confident the deal will be done.”
Shorey has been hankering for a move since last summer when he rejected a new contract with Reading.
“He’s made it clear over along period of time that he wants to leave,” added Hammond. “With one year left on his contract, we now have a deal that satisfies all parties.”
Now boss Steve Copell will step up his search for a replacement, with Leicester City’s highly-rated 18-year-old, Joe Mattock, high on his wishlist.
The England U21 international impressed during his first league season last year and the Foxes are open to offers following their relegation to League One.
Hammond explained: “We’ve got a number of options from within the club that can fill the role at left-back. We’re also looking outside the club and talking to people.”
Meanwhile, Hammond is confident that no more regular first-team players will follow Shorey, Dave Kitson and Glen Little through the exit door.
Middlesbrough made a renewed offer of around £3.5 million for James Harper on Thursday which was turned down and Sunderland previously bid £5 million for Hunt which was also rejected.
Doyle has been linked with West Ham and Aston Villa but Hammond wanrned that clubs must be prepared to pay top rate for anyone once the season has started.
“We haven’t got to sell anyone and we’re under no pressure from the chairman to do so,” insisted Hammond.
“The manager has made it clear he only wants players who want to be here.
“He’s also made it clear that, once the season gets under way, a bigger premium must be paid for any of our players.
“I’m not saying players won’t leave once the season has started, but they will cost more.
“However, once the Shorey deal goes ahead I hope we will go into the season without losing anyone else.
“In fact, we would like to add one or two players to it and that is what we’re working on.”
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