Michail Antonio

According to today's Mirror: "Southampton are trying to thrash out a deal to make Michail Antonio's loan move from Reading permanent in the summer.

"Antonio, 20, is out of contract in June but the Royals are due compensation for the winger because he is under the age of 24.

"He said: "Reading and Southampton are still in talks and I don't really know what's going to happen.''"

http://www.readingfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10306~2037497,00.html

Unfortunately Reading have exercised their option to extend his contract for a year, no doubt to try and force us to make a reasonable offer to buy him, compensation at tribunal would have been very low.

Shame for the player more than anyone as he has improved with the coaching provided but don't think we should be held to ransom by a club that really showed no interest in giving the player a chance on the pitch. Enough poor games to suggest migth not have the consistency necessary to perform at the higher level.

What we can't afford to do is hang around before putting the squad together for next season and if Antonio wont be around then we move on and sign someone else on a permanent basis. Hope the kid does ok but think Reading have basically shafted him as they see us a club with money. Might have the money but also well run by Cortese and will simply go elsewhere

I really think that Antonio should be our priority to sign in the summer. He started off with great pace and power but technically was great one game then awful another. Recently though he has massively improved his consistency and scored some great goals. Already knowing his teammates and being integrated into the dressing room will be really important as well and why I would rather have him than another winger.

See Antoino has now signed a 3 year contract with Reading so looks like wont see him back at St Marys otherwise next season when we play Reading the Championship