Published: Thursday, 18th June, 2009 4:00pm

Rodgers respects Hunt's desire for fresh challenge

by Anthony Smith

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Stephen Hunt seems destined for a move away from the Madejski Stadium over the summer.

BRENDAN Rodgers will not stand in Stephen Hunt"s way if he wants to move to a Premier League club.

New Royals boss Brendan Rodgers says he will 'respect' the wishes of the 27-year-old left-winger who is wanted by Everton and Sunderland.

Hunt has never hidden his desire to return to the top-flight and, after missing out with Reading last season, a move now seems inevitable.

'I will always pay respect to players,' stated Rodgers. 'Stephen is someone I know, I have watched him here. This is a guy who not too many years ago was playing at Brentford.

'He"s come in to Reading, had a wonderful few years and has done really, really well in the Premier League.

'Once you"ve been in the Premier League and have shown that you can play in there, it can be very difficult to spend your time in the Championship.

'It"s not something new, I think Stephen was looking to go last season but decided to stay right through thinking Reading might go up. For a large part of the season it looked like they would. But they didn"t and obviously he has a choice to make.'

Ex-Wigan boss Steve Bruce tried to sign Hunt in January, only for the Republic of Ireland international to pen a new long-term contract with the Royals.

However, the deal includes a £5 million get-out-clause and Reading may accept less as they look to slash their budget.

It is thought Bruce will now launch a bid to take Hunt to Sunderland where he is now in charge, although reports suggest Everton are willing to cough up £10 million for Hunt plus striker Kevin Doyle, who may also be set to join Marcus Hahnemann at Wolves.

While selling their crown jewels like Hunt would cut Reading"s wage bill as they enter the final year of parachute payments, it could leave Rodgers with a massive rebuilding job.

However, he insisted: 'I will always respect the opinions of players. Obviously I will fight to work with the best players I can get here.'

And he added: 'If Stephen decides it"s time for him to move on then I will respect that decision. He"s a good lad, a good man and I"m sure we will get to some sort of agreement.'

Meanwhile, Andre Bikey has hinted that he could be open to a move to Marseille.

Reports suggest the French giants are ready to offer £3million for the 24-year-old Cameroon defender who joined the Royals for £1.3million from Lokomotiv Moscow in April 2007.

Bikey said this week: 'I am flattered by the interest from Marseille, as anyone would be.

'I would like to play in the Champions League and Marseille is in there. Hopefully I will talk with Reading and see what their plans are for me. I was disappointed we did not go up to the Premier League.

'Marseille is the biggest club in France so if they want you, you are excited, but let"s wait and see what will happen.'

Bikey has been slapped with a five-game ban by the Football Association following his red card shame in the first-leg of Reading"s play-off semi-final defeat to Burnley. Four of those games carry over into next season.