Royals close in on signings

Sportsdesk • Published 26 Jan 2012 09:30 0 Comments

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Karleigh Osborne, Jordan Rhodes and Tomasz Cywka high on Royals wish list

READING are closing in on several transfer targets and are set to complete the signing of Brentford centre-back Karleigh Osborne.

Royals boss Brian McDermott is ready to splash the cash to bring in reinforcements before the January 31 deadline.

New owners Thames Sports Investment agreed to back McDermott in the current window as part of their buyout of the club.

The Chronicle understands that Huddersfield Town's sought-after striker Jordan Rhodes is also high on McDermott's wish list.

The 21-year-old hot-shot has been in sizzling form this season with 26 goals in all competitions plus six for Scotland Under 21s.

But it seems Royals have a major fight on their hands in their bid to lure Oldham-born Rhodes away from the Galpharm Stadium.

However, Brentford boss Uwe Rosler has confirmed Reading's interest in 23-year-old Osborne.

"There is strong interest from Reading, but as far as I am aware they are the only one," Rosler said yesterday.

"We will wait and see whether we do a deal or not, but it has to be to the benefit of this football club."

Reading are looking for cover in defence as Sean Morrison has returned to Huddersfield on loan - possibly as a makeweight for Rhodes - and Bongani Khumalo is poised to return to Spurs following an unsuccessful loan.

And McDermott added: "Morrison has gone on loan to Huddersfield so there's a possibility we might bring Karleigh Osborne to cover.

"It's a not a loan, we would just take him. Bongani will go back to Spurs and we have to cover the Sean Morrison situation until the end of the season."

Reading have also been strongly linked with Blackburn Rovers striker Jason Roberts and Doncaster Rovers hitman Billy Sharp.

Derby County's out-of-favour striker Tomasz Cywka has also made the astonishing claim that he is set for a move to the Royals.

The 23-year-old Polish star was expected to sign for Slask Wroclaw on a free transfer.

But this week he was quoted as saying: "My agent has messaged and wrote that Reading submitted an offer for me.

"I asked the (Slask) president for some time to think and I made few phone calls. Finally, I decided that I want to play for Reading, and Slask understood my decision. They even helped me book a flight ticket back to England and drove me to the airport."

News of TSI's takeover at Reading has led to an avalanche of calls from agents this week. Chronicle sources even suggested that Manchester United's Michael Owen was set for talks with club representatives last night (Wednesday) with a view to a loan move to the Madejski Stadium.

Former England, Liverpool and Real Madrid striker Owen was linked with a loan to Championship rivals Brighton & Hove Albion earlier in the week.

McDermott revealed: "A lot of old faces are coming out of the woodwork, and I have had a number of opinions from people in the past few days.

"But the important thing is the team dynamic that has made us so successful has to be maintained. I have to be focused on that."

But he also stressed: "I've got some licence to do something in January which I've never had before, but it won't be fantasy football," added McDermott. "If I see something that makes a difference I'll do it, no doubt about it."

SEE TODAY'S CHRONICLE FOR MORE TRANSFER NEWS PLUS THE VERY LATEST ON THE TSI TAKEOVER.

This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 26 Jan 12

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