News and Views
Orlando Sa And Gunter Exit Rumours
22 January 2016
By Hob Nob Anyone?
Following the departure of Nick Blackman rumours have now surfaced that Chris Gunter could be the next player out of the door due to his short contract. Like Blackman, Gunter's Reading contract is also due to expire in the summer. Reading cashed in on Blackman while they could, but it would seem foolish to do the same with Chris Gunter who would go for far less money but remains a key first team player.
However, it does appear that currently the rumours are nothing more than vague rumours, and Gunter will be staying put for now. The reports that appeared in papers this morning suggest Norwich, Newcastle and West Brom are all interested and could offer half a million pounds. Despite his short contract, that kind of money would surely be ignored by Reading as they attempt to strengthen the squad through January.
Full-back Gunter, signed for Reading in the summer of 2012 from Nottingham Forest for 2.5 million pounds and has gone on to become first choice for Reading and a Welsh International regular.
Meanwhile, Reading manager Brian McDermott has hinted that rumours of an Orlando Sa exit have some substance to them. With the arrival of Yann Kermorgant from Bournemouth, Sa's limited pitch time looks set to be limited further and he could well find himself shipped out on loan. There are also reports that Greek side AEK Athens have made an offer of around 800,000 Euros to sign Sa. Sa has only been at Reading for half a season and the Royals would make a loss on the player if he was to leave for that kind of money.
Discussion On This Story:
Sutekh
Personally I think he's a great attacking full back, certainly in the Championship and probably good for a lower PL club.
And given we have no specialist right back cover of any experience (aren't Long and Keown the only options that have 1st team squad experience?) it's a position we'll certainly have to move for in the summer.
Exactly same will go for HRK.
retro royal
Gunter, who is the current first choice right-back for Wales in the lead up to Euro 2016, is entering the final six months of his contract with Championship side Reading.
The 26-year-old is well into his fourth season with Reading after completing his £2.5million from Nottingham Forest and, as contract talks stall, has caught the eye of a host of clubs.
Premier League trio Norwich, Newcastle and West Brom have all been monitoring his current situation as have Championship clubs QPR and Middlesbrough.
Given his contract situation, Reading officials could be willing to cash in on Gunter during the January transfer window and could be available for the modest fee of just £500,000.
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Coppelled_Streets
OLLIE KEARNS
You make the basic assumption that cheaper wages always equals worse performer. The club has a budget to work with like any other. If they are over paying wages for any bang average player then recycling money to reinvest makes complete sense. This is how any company operates, not just football clubs.
Royalwaster
Awful defender - yeh that's how Wales got through to the Euro finals!
Amazing really how they managed to do that by consistently playing our awful defender and shyte striker.
To be fair Wales are pretty awful - they had a fairly weak group and relied heavily on Bale and Ramsay .... other than that they are pretty average.
Royal_jimmy
Awful defender - yeh that's how Wales got through to the Euro finals!
Amazing really how they managed to do that by consistently playing our awful defender and shyte striker.
Well he's showed time and time again he isn't the quite right fit for us and how we play. We need a Liam Rosenior styled right back.
CountryRoyal
Awful defender - yeh that's how Wales got through to the Euro finals!
Amazing really how they managed to do that by consistently playing our awful defender and shyte striker.
I don't care what he or anyone else for that matter does for Wales, he's fairly pants for us and that's all that interests me.
CountryRoyal
Not sure if srs.
oxf*rd me. Of course I am, how are you surprised? You get people saying "he's mr reliable, he's mr consistent", I'll agree he's consistently shit.
His positioning is terrible, he never stops crosses coming in. The amount of goals we concede which come from our right side is ridiculous. He's decent between the boxes I'll give you that but offensively, one he gets into a good attacking position, his crossing is so oxf*rd bad it's untrue.
How is this up for the debate still?
andrew1957
If the club accepted a knock down £500K that would be very bad business IMO. However, if someone needs RB and is willing to pay 1.5M or so I guess we couldn't blame the club for cashing is as it is doubtful he will sign a new contract. But then we need a replacement unless we think Keown/Long are ready to take over.
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