Gunnarsson calls for reinvestment in Reading FC
Sportsdesk • Published 1 Jul 2011 09:30
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READING'S Brynjar Gunnarsson is confident that cash raised from potential player sales will be reinvested in the team.
The experienced midfielder is certain that manager Brian McDermott will be given money to strengthen the squad should some of his prized assets leave this summer.
Shane Long has been linked with a string of Premier League clubs, the latest being Sunderland who are ready to bid £7 million, according to reports.
If the 24-year-old Republic of Ireland international is sold for that price, it would match the record amount Royals received for Gylfi Sigurdsson last summer when the youngster moved to Hoffenheim.
Wolves have already had a £3 million bid rejected for skipper Matt Mills, while Jobi McAnuff, Jimmy Kebe and goalkeeper Adam Federici could also be on the move.
But Gunnarsson, right, believes Royals will not rush into anything, and will weigh up the pros and cons of selling their crown jewels.
"So much can change in a day in football," said Gunnarsson, 35. "It's tough to say what will happen tomorrow let alone in a week's time.
"Obviously there are players like Shane and one or two others who might have interest from Premier League clubs. You can understand that after the season some of them had.
"If a good offer comes in which is right for the player and the club, then I'm sure it will be seriously considered. And if anything does happen, I would imagine Brian will be given some money to bring in replacements and strengthen the squad again."
Gunnarsson himself played in the Premier League with Reading and he acknowledges that keeping talented and ambitious players in the Championship is hard, especially after they had the spotlight shone on them at Wembley.
"We had a very good season and when that happens there is always a risk of losing players to the Premier League," he commented.
"You have to respect that because it's where most players want to be playing. If they have the chance to do that, you can't really stand in the way."
While a couple of star names do appear to be close to the exit door, Gunnarsson believes Royals must bolster the squad, whether they lose the likes of Long and Mills or not.
"Clubs should always look to get two or three players in to freshen things up," he said.
"We played over 50 games last season and you obviously need a good squad."
Gunnarsson has been with Reading since 2005 and, at the age of 35, is the most senior member of the current squad.
However, even with pre-
season training just around the corner and a late finish to the previous campaign, he is raring to get back to action.
"It's been fairly relaxed this summer. We finished the season late after the play-offs but I've had a good rest and I'm ready to get back to training," he declared.
"I've been home to Iceland and on holiday so I'm really looking forward to getting back now.
"I think six weeks has been long enough. Obviously we finished later than most teams because of the play-offs. I suppose you could say we've had three weeks less of a break than other teams but I don't think it really matters, it shouldn't affect anyone."
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