Cork Gem En-route to Reading?

Finally! Some transfer news we can believe in! And not a moment too soon, just when I though all possible leads on transfer stories had been exhausted and I was going to have run yet another article on Greg Halford this little gem reached my eye.

Reading are interested in bringing 25-year-old Alan Bennet to the Madejsi Stadium from Eircom club Cork City.

Cork City are of course the club that bought Reading successful Irish stars Kevin Doyle and Shane Long.

We understand that Reading have already had a bid somewhere near £100,000 rejected for the centre back, with Cork determined to gain a rather lager sum for their star defender - and especially in the wake of losing striker George O`Callaghan to Ipswich Town.

But Reading`s Director of Football, Nicky Hammond, insists the club will not be breaking the bank to bring any targets to the Madejski Stadium:

'We realise there is a premium to be paid if you want players in January, but by the same token we have to make the right call.

'Some of the fees being asked are absolutely ridiculous.'

Meanwhile, Bennett appeared keen to makethe move across the Irish sea but in noble style that is more befitting of Reading Bennett was adamant until the situation changes he will remain under contract at Cork:

Speaking to the Reading Evening Post, Bennet said: 'I am in the dark, but it would appeal to me. Anybody with a career wants to further their ambitions as I do. This is the Premiership - so who would not want that?'

'Reading are flying and Kevin Doyle, Shane Long and Stephen Hunt are all doing well, but I am under contract here with Cork.'

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