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Soldado: Reading interested?

Soldado: Reading interested?


Soldado: Reading interested?

Football Transfer Centre

Roberto Soldado is contemplating a move away from Real Madrid in the January transfer window. Reading boss Steve Coppell is believed to be interested in signing the no. 9 on loan, and could later sign the forward permanently.

"If it comes to December and I find I have not played too often, I will have to find a way of playing elsewhere," Soldado said the Spanish media.

Soldado had been under the impression he would be a regular starter for Real this season and during the summer exclaimed, "During the preseason i'll be number 9, the number I've always dreamed of. When I step onto the pitch at the Bernabéu i'll remember all the hard work it took to get here."

If Real Madrid allow the striker to leave during January or next summer, the fee could be upward of £4.5m.

During the summer Portuguese giants Benfica almost completed the permanent signing of the player. Soldado decided to stay as he was "promised regular first team football" by new boss Bernd Schuster.

With a €12m bid on the table, Madrid were expected to give the green light to a permanent move, and his agent Alberto Toldrá had said, "Benfica looks like a perfect move for Soldado."

However, a move to England now seems likely. Tottenham and West Ham have all been interested in the player, but are believed to have enough strength in depth up front. Instead, Steve Coppell will be tempted to add such a useful talent to his squad during January should the player decide on a loan move to Reading which will increase his hopes of first-team football.