"A good sign" - Pundit reacts to Reading FC takeover update involving Rob Couhig | OneFootball

Carlton Palmer has shared his reaction to news that Rob Couhig's potential deal to buy Reading is progressing.

Pundit Carlton Palmer believes the fact that prospective new Reading owner Rob Couhig has already met manager Ruben Selles, as well as the players and staff, is a positive sign for the club.

According to Reading Today, Couhig and his consortium Chiron Sports are in "advanced negotiations" to buy the club from controversial owner Dai Yongge, but a deal is yet to be completed.

The consortium must prove to the EFL that they have the funds required to buy the club and run it for at least two years, while "final terms of the sale and payment structures" need to be agreed with Yongge.

However, despite the fact the deal is not yet over the line, Couhig has already been introduced to Selles, the players and staff, and he is believed to be keen to cut costs at the club.

Couhig attracted the ire of Royals supporters during his time as owner of Wycombe Wanderers when he attempted to buy the club's Bearwood Park training ground earlier this year, but he could now be set to end Yongge's disastrous seven-year spell as owner following a lengthy sale process.

It was another turbulent year for Reading last season as they were deducted a total of six points over the course of the campaign, but Selles did an outstanding job to comfortably lead his side to safety as they finished 17th in the table.

The Royals get their season underway when they make the trip to face newly-relegated Birmingham City on Saturday 10th August, and with a lack of transfer activity at the club so far this summer, Couhig will be hopeful of completing his takeover before the closure of the window.

Carlton Palmer reacts to Reading takeover latest

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Palmer said that Couhig's interactions with Selles, the players and staff show that he is keen to hit the ground running at the club, and he believes that while the American businessman is not planning to spend big, he will bring some much-needed stability to Reading.

"It's believed that, although the takeover of Reading is not yet done, Rob Couhig has already been introduced to Ruben Selles, the manager, and the squad and staff," Palmer said.

"He's already exploring every possible way to save money at Reading.

"Couhig has a reputation for forensic accountancy, and he will certainly not be making any rash business decisions.

"One senior member is supposed to have said not to expect anything too much, the manager will be operating with a low budget. "Couhig has been at the training ground, but there's a lot of business still needing to be done to get this deal of over the line, according to another insider. "League officials need to be convinced Couhig and the consortium have the required funds to buy and then run the club. "Couhig and the consortium also need to strengthen the two-year business plan required by the EFL to buy the club, and there's the small matter of the meeting between owner Dai Yongge and Couhig to agree final terms. "It is said that they have reached an advanced stage in negotiations, and they are trying to thrash out the price to get this over the line. "But others are waiting in the wings to make bids if an opportunity arises, and they would be back to square one. "The fans want to see a deal done as soon as possible, nothing will rest easy until Yongge has agreed terms and signed on the dotted line. "The current frontrunners in the lengthy takeover saga do not sound hugely ambitious or keen to spend big, they just want to get on sound footing and move forward. "It's a good sign for Reading, and there are signs that he wants to hit the ground running.

"What Reading need now is just some stability at the football club going forward."

It is difficult to disagree with Palmer on this one, and Reading supporters will be hoping that Couhig and his consortium can get a deal over the line.

There have been fears over the future of the club in recent years, but after multiple failed takeover attempts, it seems that the end of Yongge's reign could finally be in sight.

Couhig may be a divisive figure among the Royals fan base after his attempts to buy the Bearwood Park training ground earlier this year, but as Palmer said, he will bring the stability that is desperately needed at the club, and he proved during his time as owner of Wycombe that he is a safe pair of hands.

Selles did a remarkable job to guide his side to safety last season in incredibly challenging circumstances, and their form in the second half of the campaign suggests that, under new ownership, brighter days could be ahead for the club.