Reading have this evening confirmed that Striker Pavel Pogrebnyak has joined Russian side Dynamo Moscow on a Three-year-deal.
This was certainly a transfer out of the blue and one that no one was expecting. The big Russian had one year left on his contract and most Reading fans felt he'd play out this and leave next season.
Pogrebnyak's departure led to a surprising meltdown on twitter with a lot of fans upset to see the forward leave. Yes Pavel is a likable person, however, on the footballing and financial side of things, this looks a good deal for the Royals.
Pog worked his socks off week in week out, but his goal scoring record certainly wasn't up to scratch for a main striker. He only managed to score 28 times in 106 appearances, an average of about 8 goals a season which just isn't good enough.
With Clarke mentioning last week that they are still after a striker, you'd think one was ready to be signed if we're allowing one of our three forwards leave.
Reading have been linked with moves for Robert Beric of Rapid Vienna and Forestieri and Vydra of Watford.
Us Reading fans should know more about Beric tomorrow with his future set to be decided sooner rather than later.
We have supposedly put in a bid of 3m for Forestieri, as have Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds. If this is the case, the ball is now in his court on where he wants to play his football.
As for Vydra, Watford want around 6m, which Reading are understandably not willing to pay, so this one seems unlikely.
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