Pardew's Piggy: Devlin Set To Sign For Reading In £200,000 Deal?

Last updated : 07 July 2003 By Rob Cooper
Alan Pardew has been handed a 'sizeable' transfer budget which he will attempt to invest wisely in players that can earn the Royals automatic promotion to the Premiership next season. But who will Pardew spend the contents of his piggy bank on?

Thirty-one-year-old Paul Devlin, who is in his second spell at Birmingham City, is reportedly on Alan Pardew's wanted list. The attacking midfielder is unlikely to sign unless a deal for Murray or Richie Partridge falls through, nevertheless, the Royals are understood to be investigating the possibility of Devlin joining the club. We thought we would do the same thing.

So who's after him?

Birmingham City boss Steve Bruce is after him! The Blues manager would love to keep the Scotland international at St Andrews but with an ever-growing wage bill it may not be possible.

Alerted by this necessity to free up some funds, Stoke City, who stayed in Division One by the skin of their teeth last season, are alleged to have registered an interest. Leicester City, back in the Premiership this season, are also reported to be looking to strengthen their attack by capturing Devlin.

How much would he cost?

A £200,000 fee has widely been muted as the necessary to secure Devlin's signature. Given the apparently large transfer budget Reading have this summer, £200,000 should not be a price too high.

As a Premiership player it is likely that he will be on high wages, signing Devlin could require us to break the current wage structure. Reading MAD believe it is likely that if the 5ft 8 inch star was to come to the Madejski if he refused a reduction in his salary.

Is he worth it?

At 31 Devlin is not getting any younger. We wouldn't get more than two to three years out of him. But, given that we are prepared to pay £650,000 for Murray, who is just two years the junior of Devlin, £200,000 would be money well spent.

If we are to complete the signing of Scott Murray you have to question the value of signing Paul Devlin seeing as we already have a large number of midfielders at the club yet just two centre-backs.

If he was to come to Reading where would he play?

As a right-sided player, Devlin would be favourite to adopt the right-wing role. However, the right-midfield spot will almost certainly belong to Scott Murray next season.

The Bristol City man is expected to sign for Reading shortly in a £650,000 deal. Players who cost that much don't sit on the bench at the Madejski (Martin Butler aside).

Alternatively, Pardew could choose to utilize Devlin in central-midfield, at the expense of Andy Hughes, a player who had a terrific season last season. Another possibility would be to play Murray up front, a position he played earlier in his career, and Devlin on the wing.

Also, Devlin has previously featured as a striker, so it is possible that he could be used to partner Nicky Forster up front.

In short, if Devlin was to come to the Madejski it is unlikely that he would be able to make any spot his own, due to his versatility, and would likely prove to be Jamie Cureton's replacement as official Reading FC bench-warmer.

So what's he done in his career thus far?

The Scotland international started his career with Division Two outfit Notts County in 1991. It wasn't until 1992 that he exploded onto the scene, with some impressive performances earning the youngster some rave reviews. He eventually clocked up 148 appearances at Meadow Lane, scoring 27 times.

After repeatedly putting in top performances year after year, Birmingham came in for Devlin in 1995. Despite not performing badly, the pacy winger was used out of position as a striker. He found himself on his way to Sheffield United for the 1997-98 season, surplus to requirements.

At United things went fairly well for Devlin. However, a spell on the sidelines cost him. This resulted in a return to Notts County on loan. But back in action at Bramall Lane, the Scotsman went onto amass 167 appearances for the Blades.

United eventually let him go in 2001, choosing to allow their star man to return to former club Birmingham, initially on loan. After a successful loan spell that rocketed the Blues up the table, Steve Bruce completed the permanent signing of Devlin just prior to the club's promotion to the Premiership via the Play-Offs.

With such impressive displays has come international recognition. Devlin has featured six times for Scotland.

So will he sign for Reading?

Here at Reading MAD we think that Devlin will sign if Alan fails to get his Partridge, from Liverpool. We don't expect Devlin to be used as a first team player should he arrive at the club, but as a jack-of-all-trades who could fill several positions if and when injury and suspension sets in.