Reading have confirmed that the deal to take midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson to Bundesliga leaders Hoffenheim is a club record.. The Royals received £6.5million for striker Kevin Doyle last summer but will recoup more for the 20-year-old who only signed a new contract with the Royals in May. Manager Brian McDermott may be handed some of the cash to strengthen his squad before the transfer deadline. Chairman Sir John Madejski said: "This is the right move for Reading Football Club and while I am Chairman we will do things the right way. "I understand that some supporters would prefer Gylfi to stay, but he is a fantastic young player who is bound to attract interest at the very highest level. He is one of the finest players to wear a Reading shirt in my 20 years here, and that type of player will always catch the eye of the very biggest clubs. "We have a well-publicised deficit in our budget now that the parachute payments have ended, and we have to take steps to fill this shortfall for the good of our club. I like to think that so far we have made more correct decisions than incorrect. Very importantly, with this manager, staff and players, we remain competitive in this division and following Gylfi's departure we will add new players to the squad. "Last but not least we wish Gylfi every success in Germany, his rise to prominence has been quite incredible, and he is a credit to our very successful academy."
Source: PA
Source: PA