Transfer pledge from the Chairman

Last updated : 06 December 2007 By Angus Muller

Reading chairman John Madejski has vowed to finance a plunge into the January transfer market.

The Royals, who last season only narrowly missed out on European qualification, are currently just three points above the relegation zone.

Madejski is anxious for Reading to be an established Premier League force and recognises that will need further investment.

"We believe there is a huge amount of potential still to be achieved at Reading and we are 100 per cent committed to moving this club to the next level," the chairman said.

"We are also fully aware that investment is required to make that happen, and we are prepared to strengthen the squad in January.

"Of course it depends whether the right players are available at the right prices and that decision will rest with the manager, but the financial backing will be there.

"We never set specific budgets but the board will always do everything possible to provide any funds requested by the manager.

"Steve Coppell and I have an extremely good relationship and we have never rejected any of his requests for financial backing.

"This doesn't just apply to the January transfer window, it is an ongoing process and reflects how far we have come as a club in the last few years."

The Royals could find themselves losing key players this January with England full-back Nicky Shorey having been linked with a move to West Ham.

Both Shorey and England Under-21 striker Leroy Lita have failed to sign new contracts and Coppell indicated he could be prepared to let both players leave.

"I only want players who want to play for the club. If they don't, and for whatever reason that might be, it's best for all concerned if they move on," he told the Reading Chronicle.

"Supporters only want players who want to be here giving their all. That rule undoubtedly applies to the whole squad including Leroy and Nicky. That doesn't change for different individuals.

"In my opinion, that has always been the best way of doing things. If someone doesn't want to be here and they are not happy with the way things are going then it's in their best interests, and ours, that they move somewhere else."

The sale of Shorey and Lita would bring in significant funds, possibly in excess of £10million.

Reading have been linked with the likes of Portsmouth duo David Nugent and Matt Taylor in the build-up to the January transfer window.

Following on Steve Coppell said

"Players want to come to clubs with ambition, and we like to think we've got ambition.

"If you look at the summer, Man Utd and Liverpool spent £40million, £50million each, we spent hardly anything. So by definition we're losing ground.

"So, for this club to be ambitious we've got to be acquiring three substantial signings every year and be honest, it's a minimum of three.

"They've (potential signings) got to see the ambition; it's got to be tangible in the form of expensive signings, a bigger stadium. Everything about the club has got to meet the demands of the modern Premier League player."