"Disappointing" - Pundit namechecks Dai Yongge in response to Reading takeover news | OneFootball

Carlton Palmer has told FLW his verdict on the latest developments behind the scenes at Reading

Carlton Palmer has claimed that Reading can only move forward once a takeover is completed amid another setback behind the scenes and called on Dai Yongge to sell the club.

It was confirmed by the club earlier this week that a period of exclusivity had ended with a potential buyer.

This has raised uncertainty over what the path forward is for the Royals, who are struggling financially at the moment.

Yongge has been heavily criticised by supporters, who have urged him to sell his stake in the club in order to secure their financial future.

Carlton Palmer's Reading takeover verdict

Palmer has expressed his disappointment at his latest setback for Reading, and that he hopes a resolution can be found soon.

He believes the recent sales of Tyler Bindon and Sam Smith were a big blow for Noel Hunt’s side.

“Yet again disappointing news coming out of Reading, suffering yet another takeover setback,” Palmer told Football League World.

“A statement released by the League One side [revealed that] a period of exclusivity with an unnamed group has expired.

“Reading, level with four teams in the final play-off place in League One, another disappointment.

“Reading owner Dai Yongge has been trying to sell the club for some time, and the Royals remain under a transfer embargo for the late filing of accounts.

“It’s just an ongoing saga in terms of getting the club sold and going forward.

“It’s disappointing for everybody, the club has just sold striker Sam Smith for a fee believed to be in excess of £1 million to Wrexham.

“Tyler Bindon moved to Premier League side Nottingham Forest early in January, but has been loaned back to the Royals.

“The club say the sales were not pre-planned, it was just an opportunity to solve the club’s short-term funding.

“In the case of Smith, they previously rejected lower bids, but the fee that was payable by Wrexham ultimately proved too significant.

“With Tyler Bindon, it was believed to be different, the expiry of his contract at the end of the season led to significant external interest.

“So, he’s been sold to Forest but loaned back to the club.”

Palmer has praised the players and coaching staff at the club for continuing to push for promotion amid all the behind-the-scenes issues but believes a takeover is the only way forward.

“While all this is happening, the fact that they’re close to getting into the play-offs, is just unsettling,” he continued.

“The players are doing a fantastic job to just keep going, as well as the manager.

“But it is a blow for Reading, they just need somebody to come in now and the owner Dai Yongge to agree a sale.

“Former Wycombe Wanderers owner Rob Couhig and ex-Reading chairman Roger Smee both had bids for the club turned down last year.

“It just needs to get the club sold, so they can move forward.”

Reading are currently eighth in the Championship table, level on points with sixth place Leyton Orient.

The club have sold off players in January to ensure their finances for the short-term, but a long-term solution is needed.

That solution will only come in the form of a takeover, and the sooner it happens the better.

That another potential buyer has seemingly come and gone is a bad sign, and supporters will want clarity on what next.

It’s been a very frustrating few years for the fans, who deserve a lot better than the uncertainty they’ve endured under Yongge.