Akpan poised to sign for Reading FC

Sportsdesk • Published 8 Jan 2013 15:00 2 Comments

CRAWLEY Town midfielder Hope Akpan is on the verge of a move to Reading.

Rumours suggest the 21-year-old is having a medical at Reading's Hogwood Park training ground today and will pen a three-and-a-half year deal.

The transfer would come only days after Akpan played for the Reds in their 3-1 FA Cup defeat by Royals on Saturday.

The ex-Everton trainee has been a regular for League One Crawley this season with six goals in 27 appearances. But he has also picked up six yellow cards and two reds.

Nevertheless, Royals boss Brian McDermott appears to have struck a deal with former Reading manager Steve Coppell, now director of football at Crawley.

It is thought Crawley will demand a substantial transfer fee for Akpan, who would become the club's first ever player to sign for a Premier League side.

Reds boss Richie Barker told the Crawley Observer: "If Hope were to leave it would be a big miss. But at the same time, to sell someone to a Premier League club speaks volumes about what this club has done.

"If a big club comes in and pays a big fee, that will improve the football club and bring finances back in."

Akpan would be Reading's third January signing after the capture of Sporting Lisbon's captain Daniel Carrico, 20, for around £650,000.

Midfielder Tomas Rogic is also poised to join Royals after a £400,000 bid was accepted by Australian side Central Coast Mariners, subject to getting a work permit.

WOULD HOPE AKPAN BE A GOOD SIGNING FOR READING? Leave a comment below...

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• 

  Royalmartin
  Unregistered User
  Jan 8, 15:28
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  According to the Australian media, Rogic has turned down the Royals and will stay with CCM.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 4     No 1

• 

  johnclinton
  7 posts
  Jun 19, 08:14
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  The ex-Everton trainee is among the toughest players in the team. I wish I could watch their next game and including the marquez vs bradley this year.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

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