Published: Thursday, 25th September, 2008 15:00
Hunt preparing for January interest
By Anthony Smith
Comments (0)
Print Article
Reaching for the stars: Reading's Stephen Hunt expects Premier League clubs to come knocking in January.
STEPHEN Hunt is convinced that Premier League clubs will stump up Reading’s £5 million asking fee if he continues to play to his full potential.
Everton are reported to have failed with a £3.5m bid for the 27-year-old winger on transfer deadline day as Royals value him at £5m.
But manager Steve Coppell denied the rumours, insisting no official bid had been made.
However, Hunt believes that if his impressive form continues it is certain to spark renewed interest from top-flight clubs when the window re-opens in January.
He said: “I’ve set goals in terms of performance levels. If I can achieve that then someone will really want to buy me.
“If someone wants to buy me they know the situation that I am in and they’ll pay the money. I have to do really well and obviously that will benefit Reading and benefit myself.”
But he also insisted: “The most important thing is the teams wins. We’ve built a good team spirit over the last few years, we wouldn’t even contemplate getting bad results to justify a move. It’s not right.”
Hunt was in Dublin on Wednesday to promote the return of Mars’ `work, rest and play’ campaign. The Republic of Ireland international spoke to the media at length about his personal situation with club and country.
Clearly the speculation has not harmed his performances for Reading this season. Hunt, a free transfer from Brentford, has been ever-present in the Championship and has three goals to his name including the late equaliser at Watford last Saturday.
“I think work ethic for a winger is vital,” he declared. “At the same time I got seven goals last year, three this year, two from the spot.
“It’s important that you have end product. I’ve the most crosses in the division this year. One of my aims is to get plenty of crosses in.”
Hunt’s hunger for success remains undiminished. And he appears to have struck the perfect balance between his public and private life following his recent marriage to Kevin Doyle’s cousin, Joanne.
“The desire to win games is the most important thing and as long as you still have that you are fine,” he stated. “I haven’t really changed as a person. I still like the same things that I used to do. I play a few games of golf or whatever, go out once every two or three months, let off a bit of steam and I am happy.
“That’s the way I see life. I work hard Monday to Friday, play the game on Saturday and generally just relax that evening - pretty much the same routine. Life is good like that.”
Further Details
Lita in shock recall?