Indeed, here at Reading MAD we never really believed there was any truth in the speculation.
Why would Alan Pardew be looking to bring in a 'keeper who would insist on first team football when we already have the superb Marcus Hahnemann? Furthermore, back-up Jamie Ashdown has proved himself to be a more than competent stopper when called upon.
Given that Andy Marshall is on mega wages at Ipswich, it is hard to imagine why Alan Pardew would consider looking at him. The speculation is clearly false.
So it appears that the rumour was totally made up.
But why is this so? And who would do such a thing? The answer is often agents.
Marshall, who has been told he can leave Portman Road on a free transfer if he can find a club, there have been no takers. He is now back in pre-season training.
It is common in football for agents to tell newspapers that their client is wanted by 'X'. Clubs that have registered an tentative interest in the agent's player will often then step up their attempts to sign him if they know another club is after the player in question. Whilst there is no evidence to suggest such a thing has happened in the case of the Andy Marshall saga, it certainly is a possibility.
However, the rumour could also be the work of a prankster who just wants to see his story in the newspapers. Many, many people are prepared to make such stories up, hence the reason why so much transfer gossip in football turns out to be bogus.
Now Reading MAD have emphatically explained the possible origin of the Andy Marshall transfer gossip expect him to sign for the Royals tomorrow. It's Sod's Law.