Two of the resident Championship strikers expected to move in this transfer window have yet to pack their bags and reach for their travel fares as they remain with at their current clubs and subject of continuous transfer speculation.
For Doncaster striker Billy Sharp and Bristol City forward Nicky Maynard, it is slowly becoming like ground-hog day as they are repeatedly linked with moves away from their clubs, with a new club poking their head out of the woodwork to be reportedly interested with every passing day.
This time it is Reading’s turn to be on the verge of landing the much-pursuited Sharp who has yet to sign a new deal for Doncaster and has been the victim of intense interest from Leicester City who have seemingly given up on the massive game of tug-o’-war with the striker who has netted 10 goals in 20 games this season for Dean Saunders’ side.
Leicester, who saw their super-duper mega-offer for Sharp rejected, have instead found solace in an attempt to acquire Aston Villa’s 20-year-old striker Nathan Delfenueso on loan. This leaves Reading free to pour the money given to them by Russian tycoon Anton Zingarevich who has recently taken a majority share-hold over the club, on Sharp to finally end this particular transfer saga and their own search for a striker which has seemingly gone on for ages.
However, it may be that the 25 year old Sharp will decide to stay with the Yorkshire club until the summer at least and then decide his options, dragging out this moribund drama out by another 5 months.
Hot-shot Nicky Maynard could also be leaving his current championship club as Wigan Athletic are willing to plough £2million in the direction of Ashton Gate to prise the 25 year old away after scoring 8 times for the struggling Robins this season.
Greedy Wigan are also rumoured to be in for not one, but two further players including Everton’s James Mcfadden and Lomana Lua Lua of Blackpool as they seek to avoid joining the Championship party with relegation from the top-tier.
A whole pack of Premier League clubs have all expressed an interest in Maynard, including Swansea, Wolves and West Brom, who sees contract expire in the summer. The Championship striker transfer saga chugs on like a dilapidated train but there is a slight chance we may have closure soon.
@AdamGray1250