Jeff Stelling reacts to new Reading FC takeover developments | OneFootball

Stelling has expressed sympathy for Reading fans once again after Rob Couhig's takeover deal collapsed.

TV and radio presenter Jeff Stelling has used his platform once again to highlight Reading's current situation.

Taking to X, Stelling commented on the news that Rob Couhig has pulled out of a takeover deal, leaving the Royals in an uncertain situation.

There had been hopes that Couhig was going to complete a takeover, with the American businessman remaining in the race even when there were delays.

However, the most recent deadline for a takeover passed on Friday, according to The Athletic, and it has now been revealed that Couhig has now pulled out of the race.

This is a major disappointment for the Berkshire side, who are in desperate need of a sale to provide them with off-field stability.

This ownership saga has been going on for well over a year now - and protests and dissent against current owner Dai Yongge ramped up in June 2023.

Unfortunately, the club is still yet to be sold and it's unclear whether another party will come close to finalising a takeover anytime soon.

Anyone who wants to take control of the Royals will need to pass an Owners and Directors Test (OaDT) and allow the EFL to carry out background checks, so the possibility of a change of ownership happening anytime soon is minimal.

This change is needed, with the club having 18 points deducted in less than three years because of Dai's actions.

Being deducted 12 points for charges relating to overspending and failing to abide by the terms of a business plan, they were then deducted six more points last term for late payments.

Thankfully for the Royals, they won enough points to keep themselves in League One and avoid back-to-back relegations.

But this news could go on to affect their on-field performances, despite what has been a respectable start to the 2024/25 campaign for Ruben Selles' side, even with their loss against Leyton Orient in mind.

Reading FC: Jeff Stelling comments after Rob Couhig takeover collapse

Stelling highlighted the Royals' plight back in January when their game against Port Vale was abandoned in January after a pitch invasion.

And he expressed his sympathy again on X this morning after the collapse of the takeover, posting: "Never ending troubles at Reading continue. Feel for their fans."

Is Dai really going to sell the club?

That was the question many fans were asking as the takeover saga dragged on, and many are not convinced that he actually intends to sell the Royals anymore.

This is a very serious situation and a sale is needed as quickly as possible, but that doesn't look like happening anytime soon.

Major hoops would need to be jumped through by prospective buyers to get a deal over the line now.

And the only way the Royals will be able to secure a takeover in the short term is if both Dai and Couhig take a U-turn and finalise a deal.

With the latter seemingly out of the race though, that looks unlikely to happen.

The club needs saving from its current owner.