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D2 outfit Reading have pulled off a major coup by snatching Chelsea star Didier Drogba on a season-long loan deal worth �3,000,000. The Royals fought off interest from the likes of Aston Villa, Bolton Wanderers, Portsmouth and Sheffield United to capture the striker. The Ivory Coast international had fallen out of favour at Stamford Bridge, following the emergence of Brazilian superstar Robinho and Italian ace Francesco Totti into the first team. In an attempt to save his career, manager Martin O'Neill has decided the former Marseille hitman must go out on loan to prove his worth to the club by perfoming at the Madjeski Stadium. Reading gaffer Steve Coppell was all too pleased to snap up Drogba, who he sees as a perfect partner for French starlet Karim Benzema, although the player will be costing the club �500,000 per match to keep. 
Serie A giants Juventus are poised to make a second bid for Reading striker Kevin Doyle in the next few days. The first bid they made, which was worth around �17,000,000, was turned down by The Royals several months ago. Its widely expected that Reading would be prepared to accept an offer of around �10,000,000 for the Republic of Ireland star, who has struggled to break into the first team this season. Doyle himself has told the GI Echo that a move to Turin would be too good to turn down and Reading should accept any big offer they recieve. According to reports, Juventus officials were "stunned" when their last bid was turned down so they are now hopeful of sealing a deal for the striker. 
Reading have swooped to sign Russian goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev on a free, after letting Francisco Ochoa join Charlton Athletic in a �5,000,000 deal. Akinfeev, joins The Royals following a solid spell at The Valley. The shot stopper cost The Addicks �3,000,000 in a move from boyhood club CSKA Moscow. Francisco Ochoa moves in the opposite direction. The Mexican star was a �2,000,000 signing from Club America. Ochoa, much like counterpart Akinfeev, is vastly experienced in the GI as well as on the international stage. Akinfeev has nearly 30 caps for Russia while Ochoa has nearly 20 caps for Mexico. |