MATEJ Vydra’s agent claims Reading FC paid ‘too much’ to sign the striker from Watford.

Ondrej Chovanec has revealed how Reading pipped Brighton & Hove Albion to land Vydra on a season-long loan.

But the player’s representative suggests the £2.5 million loan fee was excessive.

Following two loan spells at Vicarage Road, Czech international Vydra joined the Hornets this summer permanently from Udinese on a five-year deal.

But the 23-year-old quickly fell out with head coach Quique Sanchez Flores over his training methods and was made available for loan in the final days of the summer transfer window.

A host of Championship clubs were fighting for his signature, but it was Reading who struck a deadline-day deal.

The £2.5 million fee is thought to cover Vydra’s wages and gives boss Steve Clarke the option of signing him permanently should they win promotion.

However, Chovanec reckons Reading paid over the odds.

“To pay more than £2 million – £2.5 million with bonuses, in my eyes, is too much,” he told the Brighton Argus.

“I visited Brighton before the window closed. I met Paul Winstanley (head of recruitment). We had a very nice discussion, a very good discussion.

“I was very surprised by the facilities and had a very good impression from what I saw there and from the meeting as well.

“I spoke also with the manager. He explained everything. He was a very kind man and I had a very good impression.

“He (Vydra) knew about the interest. He also had discussions with the manager. He was impressed.

“They were very close with Reading and one other club. Finally Watford found agreement with Reading.”

He added: “Watford pushed three clubs to pay as much as they could.

“I don’t know what Brighton’s final proposal was. I had a feeling from Watford’s point of view they were not favourites to make a deal because they didn’t offer the highest loan fee.”

Reading return to Championship action this Saturday when they travel to Burnley (3pm ko).

Anton Ferdinand is an injury doubt for the Royals and Orlando Sa is still suspended following his red card for violent conduct in the defeat to Derby County.

Royals were knocked out of the Capital One Cup following a 2-1 home defeat by Everton in the third round on Tuesday night.

But Steve Clarke's men have won their last two Championship fixtures on the road after beating Bristol City 2-0 at Ashton Gate thanks to a Nick Blackman brace and Brentford 3-1 with another two goals from in-form Blackman and one from Sa.