"It doesn't make any sense for him" - Southampton move for Reading FC star questioned | OneFootball

We asked our Reading FC fan pundit for his thoughts after the club turned down bids from Southampton for Andre Garcia

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Reading FC defender Andre Garcia has been told that a move to Southampton "doesn't make any sense" amid reports that the Saints are keen to secure his signature.

17-year-old Garcia has had a real breakthrough campaign at Reading this season, making 25 appearances for Noel Hunt's side in all competitions this season, attracting interest from Premier League side Southampton.

Hunt confirmed after the Royals' defeat to Leyton Orient on Saturday that Southampton were indeed interested in Garcia, but the valuation is yet to be met.

Fabrizio Romano reported that Southampton have submitted a bid of £2million to secure the left-back's signature, but it appears that Reading will be holding out for a bigger fee if they're to part ways with Garcia this month.

Reading urged to keep Andre Garcia at the club this month

We asked our Reading fan pundit, Johnny Hunt, for his thoughts after it emerged that Southampton were keen on Garcia, and asked how much Reading should be holding out for if they're to sell him this month.

Speaking to Football League World, Johnny said: "It’s a difficult one. Obviously, Noel Hunt has said they’ve had an offer, and it’s nowhere near the valuation. I’m guessing that around £4million is what they’re looking at.

“I think Brian Carey, who is in charge of the transfers, knows what’s he doing, and we’re not going to be pushed round to make ridiculous sales on the cheap that we have in the past with Michael Olise, Omar Richards and Tom Holmes as examples.

"I think with a week to go in the transfer we won’t need to sell him. Hopefully, we won’t need to pay the tax or wages by selling players, and hopefully, that’s been sourced until the new owners comes in, whenever that is, it’s the million-dollar question.

“It’s a hard one. We would definitely want to keep a young talent like that, and if he went to Southampton he wouldn’t be playing, so it might look good playing for a Premier League club that’s probably going to be relegated back to the Championship, but as a footballing move it doesn’t make any sense for him.

“He’s still finding his way at Reading, and he’s young, needs game time and needs to be managed for his age.

“Hopefully, he won’t go, and hopefully, we can keep him and tie him down to a long-term contract as with others, but it depends on the ownership as per usual… or lack of.”

Keeping Andre Garcia would be a real statement of intent by Reading

The fact Reading haven't cashed in at the first opportunity for Garcia is a positive sign, and despite their financial issues, it's clear that they're not going to sell unless they feel the money is right.

Garcia looks like a future star, and the fact he's playing so well at League One level at the age of 17 means it's easy to see why Southampton want to sign him.

However, Reading have lost their fair share of young talent in recent years, with the likes of Nelson Abbey, Tom Holmes, Michael Olise and Omar Richards just some of the players to have come through the ranks before being sold, so keeping Garcia would buck the trend and be a statement of intent.

Reading are fortunate to have a good academy which keeps producing talent, helping to keep the club competitive despite their lack of finances, and they should only sell Garcia if an offer they can't refuse comes in, particularly with so little time of the transfer window remaining.