Reading want Liverpool midfield star for Premier League campaign
Published:Desperate to land a big name signing for Reading’s Premier League return, manager Brian McDermott has turned his attentions to Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole.
A former England star, Cole’s Anfield tenure has not panned out how he envisaged it following a free transfer switch from Chelsea back in 2010.
An injury plagued debut season on Merseyside meant Cole could only compete sporadically, making it difficult for the former West Ham star to settle at his new club.
That led to a loan move to Lille last season, where Cole has impressed fans of the French club as he contributed to a third place finish for the defending Ligue 1 champions.
Now, he looks set to return to the Premier League, and ambitious Championship champions Reading appear to head the list of potential suitors for the versatile midfielder.
Cole has two years remaining on his £70,000 per week Liverpool contract, and these wages would prove a stumbling block for the newly-promoted Royals.
However, McDermott is reportedly looking into the possibility of a loan move for Cole, whereby Reading would pay only a percentage of the 56-cap England playmaker’s salary.
Lille managed to secure Cole’s services on a similar basis last term, contributing around £25,000 per week to his income, and a similar total seems affordable to Reading.
The attacking midfielder had previously been told that he had no future at Anfield, though Kenny Dalglish’s dismissal as manager this week could see that stance alter.
30-year-old Cole is expected to see who takes the reins at Liverpool before making any decision regarding his future, but a switch to Reading could prove an appealing prospect.
His wealth of Premier League experience would prove invaluable to the Royals, whilst Cole would be afforded regular first-team football at the Madejski Stadium, so the move would appear to make sense for all parties involved.
