Reading FC

Watford FC's Tommy Smith
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Reading FC make £1.2million bid for Watford FC's Tommy Smith

By Jonny Fordham
August 16, 2009

Reading have made an improved offer for Watford striker Tommy Smith as Brendan Rodgers closes in on his top transfer target.

The Post can reveal Royals have tabled a bid of around £1.2million for the 29-year-old double Hor-nets player-of-the-season who is keen to link up with former manager Rodgers at Madjeski Stadium.

As exclusively reported in the Post in June Smith is top of the Northern Irishman’s shopping list and Watford chairman Jimmy Russo has admitted the club would sell if the right offer came in.

The Hertfordshire club have confirmed they received a bid for their prized asset and are consider-ing it, but refused to confirm it is from Reading.

Ironically, Newcastle United who beat Reading 3-0 on Saturday have also enquired about the for-ward, but Smith would prefer to remain in the south.

The former Sunderland and Derby player who is out of contract this summer turned down a move to Sheffield United after Watford had a £1.8m bid accepted last month.

Russo has insisted he will not let Smith leave unless a club matches their valuation so Royals may still need to up the cash before landing their man.

Reading have previously had a bid of £750,000 rejected by Watford and Royals are also believed to be monitoring the situation of midfielder Jobi McAnuff who is another fans' favourite at Vicarage Road.

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JM has taken the club as far as he can. It needs some one with forsight to take it even further now, so it would be the best thing is for JM to make a statement to the press what he really wants to do with the club? Because of what i have seen so far he has not done to much this year to help to go back up.

Expom, Christchurch New Zealand
18/08/2009 at 04:16

How serious is this bid when a reported 1.7 million has been turned down from Sheffield United? If we really want Smith we are looking at a bid of around 1.4/1.5 million with 300.000 linked to appearances/promotion. Go for the latter as it looks unlikely after two gamwa. I think that most Reading fans would think that fee is too high for Smith but that's the transfer market at the moment.

Exiled in Scotland, Central Scotland
18/08/2009 at 00:58

Why are Rfc so tight just pay the money watford want and get the deal done! How long has this been going on for they could have had Smith in before the first game. Its not rocket science Smith wants to come,Buck wants him to come and Watford need too sell because Elton John needs more Glasses!!! Buy him now before we lose or draw to many games!!!

bboy, alpine street
17/08/2009 at 17:54

don't want any other chelsea or watford players as this shows br's knowledge and scouting system must be pretty poor

ajr111, swindon
17/08/2009 at 16:50

brilliant now we just need kebe replaced, a centre half for bikey and a striker that has a proven track record - bring back marek

ajr111, swindon
17/08/2009 at 16:48

"Nice to see you lot below us in the table! Kamara was right when he tipped you for relegation, however I think you might just scrape 17th place"

Just a point of reference for the future Emmer Green Stalker - there are 24 teams in this league not 20.

Just like the Murphy's....it's not bitter.

Yeah right!!

Oh and as for McAnuff - when you visited last season he was your best player by a mile so BR obviously knows how to get the best out of him.

Caz Royal, Reading
17/08/2009 at 12:52

tilehurst southbank - are naive enough to think rodgers didn't go into the interveiw claiming to get us promoted and playing pretty football, half the wage bill and create at least 10 mill. in transfer income, bring 5 academy kids through to the first team, and replace doyler for less than a mill.along with name dropping and a letter from the great one. Everyone else went in with a realistic plan or sjm. was scared they would be ambitious and get snapped up after some success WHY DO YOU THINK HE WAS THE BEST MAN FOR THE JOB!!!!!!!

ajr111, swindon
17/08/2009 at 12:18

Anyone who gloats about results in August after a massive 2 games has to be one club short a Rodgers.

I blame SKY SPORTS for creating a generation of no nothing football followers like Emmer Green Hornet.

Bushes Bernal, Reading
17/08/2009 at 12:13

Top Cat, it's not Brendan who decides how much we spend on players, that's Nicky Hammond via the board.

TilehurstSouthbank, Tilehurst, Reading
17/08/2009 at 11:44

I think 'Emmer Green Hornet' has got mental problems. His childish rantings never succeed in winding anyone up and every time he puts a post on this website it just highlights what pointless, non-entities Watford fans are. Bit pathetic really. Get the hint – no one's really interested mate...

What ford????, Reading
17/08/2009 at 10:49

The lights will eventually be turned on at Watford when they realize Tommy Smith wants to sign for Reading and no one else. If they fail to sell in the August transfer window his value with be £500k or less in the January 2010 transfer window.

MB in Sandhurst, Sandhurst
17/08/2009 at 09:55

Nothing beats experience doesn't matter how good these youngsters are suppose to be they need the likes of harper, bryn, marek around them to help them develop against seasoned pros in a game situation as proved on sat . i fear that unless we blend these youngsters with senior pros in a game situation we could be in for a long hard season 2 games no shots on goal or crosses into the box of any real quality. If we are gonna play one up front BR has to realise that Long and Church are not the answer we need someone big and strong that is mobile that can hold the ball up and bring others in to play. Is it just me or could Kebe be even worst that S hunt 2 games and not one cross into the box for a wide player that is poor, surely Henry deserves a chance and a run in the team..

FRED BAINES
17/08/2009 at 07:41

They will need to spend alot more money experienced players. Bringing in one or two players will not cut the distance of a long season, what hapens when one of them gets hurt? The in take of new players should be at least 5 to 6 that will give good cover and you still can use the young guns that they have got. If the club is serious about going up nows the time to act, if they don't you will hear all sorts of excuses. There are some good players out there wanting to come to Reading according to Brendon Rogers in one of his old statements he made to the press. So come on JM you want premier football again you no what you have to do.

Expom, Christchurch New Zealand
17/08/2009 at 06:42

His experience in the final third is much needed in this new look Reading team.

Steve Royal, Reading
16/08/2009 at 22:10

Went to both the opening League games and it is fair to say Reading need an experienced striker. Shane needs someone to play with up front. When he came on against Forest he looked dangerous and good. Unfortunately the Newcastle centre backs were too good for him. We also need a creative player in midfield as the team looks poor at the moment. Listening to BBC Radio Newcastle on the way up they mentioned that Reading had 7 or 8 players aged under 22! In the words of Alan Hansen...well you know what he said and that is the case with Reading at present. Come on Brendan, we need some experienced bodies QUICKLY. ps Too many sideways passes where we then loose the ball or get a nosebleed when we get in the opponents half!