Reading FC

Watford have accepted a £1.8 million bid for Tommy Smith but have not revealed which club has made the offer
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Mystery over £1.8 million bid for Tommy Smith

By Jonny Fordham
July 03, 2009

Watford have accepted 1.8 million pound bid from an unknown club for striker Tommy Smith, Reading's top summer transfer target.

Royals boss Brendan Rogers vowed to continue to pursue Smith after failing with a £750,000 bid earlier this week, but Watford have yet to confirm which club made the new offer.

Hornets chairman Jimmy Russo had slammed Reading’s original offer as “insulting”.

Smith is understood to be attracting interest from Premiership newboys Wolves and several Championship clubs.

But Rodgers, who left Watford to take charge of Reading last month, is in no doubt that his former player would prefer to link up with him again at Madejski Stadium.

Royals’ new boss said: “I’m confident that if the clubs can reach a fee then the player will come to us.

“It’s one that I’m hopeful we can tie up soon. It’s a situation where he knows how I work and knows how I like to play football.

“Reading is a big club at this level and there are lots of players who would like to come here. We’ve got a terrific squad as well.”

Rodgers is hopeful that the two clubs can iron out a deal soon.

“He got 17 goals with 12 assists last year and statistically was the second best player in the Championship (behind Wolves striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake),” he said. “He’s very offensive and very good one-on-one. He can play in a number of positions from right through the middle to off the striker or out wide.”

During his time at Vicarage Road, Rodgers dubbed Smith as “Superman” and the former Sunderland player was also named Watford’s 2008/09 player-of-the-season.

“He’s a very creative player and is technically strong and is a player for every season. Be it sunny, raining or snowing he performs,” Rodgers added.

Director of football Nick Hammond said: “We have shown an interest in the player and have had a bid rejected.

“I will have a word with the chairman and the board and we will then decide the next course of action.”

Rodgers also expects want-away winger Stephen Hunt to have his future sorted in the next few weeks.

He added: “He’s someone who is emotionally moved from the club already.

“However he’s a professional and while he remains a Reading player he will train with us. I’ve spoken with him and understand his situation.”

jonny.fordham@reading-epost.co.uk

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For all the 'abuse' that some are throwing at Wolves, at least they are investing to stay in the top flight. And so are many Championship teams so they can make a push for promotion in the coming year. They don't seem to be 'going mad', just giving their fans what they pay for. Is being 'well run' as some seem to say about Reading, mean we are in for another shoe-string season?

War Baby, Woodley
5/07/2009 at 09:24

Well it is showing its ugly head of being tight fisted at Reading FC already. 6.5 million for Doyle and the money is already going into the chairman's back pocket. Relegation here we come

Expom, Christchurch New Zealand
4/07/2009 at 02:58

Johnny your comments are well off the mark. Hammond and Buck have been caught out as pete50 said. You are right we are annoyed with Buck but better to have found him out than later. Sheff Utd are soon going to have 6 or 7 of our players in their squad. On each occasion they have done the deal in the right way and as such we hold no hard feelings. Other people have displayed far lower standards, by being both arrogant and underhand. That will not be forgotten and the Royals under Coppell always seemed to be good guys and respected. Shame what occurs with two mates at the helm and want away chairman.

chris the vic, Berkshire
3/07/2009 at 17:13

doesn't matter who it is thats got him it aint us and thats down to another season of asset stripping. why don't we get shot of all the non football wages first then start with the players ( such as nigel dont know my what my job is) howe and media press oficer etc. what ever happened to good old coach, asst. manager, manager, chairman? oh of course the chairman wants all these people in place so he can make sure the manager/players are on minimum wage. director of what? chief what? just loose them there not productive

ajr111, swindon
3/07/2009 at 16:42

Its very Sad Emmer Green Hornet, just proved my point bitter and twisted. Not go find a Watford Newspaper or Fans Site to post on!. We'll still beat you in September, if we get Smith or not! Speak to you then.

Johnny 5
3/07/2009 at 16:41

Johny5 you are a muppet. Buck is best mates with Hammond so would have been heavily involved in the bidding. Placing a value on Tommy of £1.5M in January, then 6 months later halving it after hyping things up by calling him Superman is naive transfer tacktics at best. Downright arrogance or stupidity is probably nearer the mark. Good luck with getting anybody decent in with such a cheapskate attitude. Roll on Reading v Watford!!! You lot will be outsung and outplayed! Good luck Tommy, and thanks for not joining Judas. We have Nathan Ellington up for sale BTW, he would fit in well with your new era!

Emmer Green Hornet, Reading
3/07/2009 at 15:54

This is plain stupidity by Buck. He calls the guy "superman" says how great he is and while at Watford tells the Board he is woth more than £1.5M. Then he thinks an offer of £750k is going to work???? Sheffield United have got a good player at a fair price and Buck just has egg all over his face. If this arrogant attitude is what we can expect for the new season then it will be long on talk short on action.

Pete50
3/07/2009 at 14:47

Brenden Rogers wouldnt have made the bid.....he wouldve said that he wanted Smith and left it up to Nicky Hammond to do a deal! So it has nothing to do with him....you Watford fans are so bitter and twisted....just move on....thats football.

Johnny 5
3/07/2009 at 14:38

Blades 1 royals nil and I for one am so glad smith didnt go to Reading. He top scored for us played well throughout the season for whichever manager was in charge and has behaved like a gentleman and will go for a reasonable price.

When Brendan as WFC manager turned down £1.5m for tommy as insufficient why did he think a 50% offer would be entertained.It smacks of stupidity or arrogance and as a strategy has failed.

Roll on 28 Sept Brendan when we can say good bye to you...you started so well and let us down badly and your behaviour since has not been clever and to get your number 1 target now you will have to open your cheque book and pay a lot more because Tommy like us believe respect and loyalty has to be earned.