Reading FC poised for takeover deal with Rob Couhig to replace Dai Yongge | OneFootball

Rob Couhig could have finalised a deal for the Royals in the next fortnight

The takeover of Reading FC seems to be edging ever nearer, with former Wycombe Wanderers owner Rob Couhig in the final stages of purchasing the club, according to The Telegraph.

The 75-year-old is set to end the reign of controversial Royals chief Dai Yongge, with any deal potentially being completed within the next fortnight.

It will be a huge relief for the Berkshire side to get the deal over the line, having endured points deductions and transfer embargo during Yongge’s ownership.

Couhig only left his post as chairman of League One rivals Wycombe last month, as he stepped down from his post at Adams Park, with Dan Rice taking over in an interim role.

Former Wycombe Wanderers owner Rob Couhig closing in on Reading FC takeover

The sale of Reading FC has been rumbling on for some time now, with Swiss company Chiron Sports Group in negotiations over a deal earlier in the year.

Chiron had even entered exclusivity talks to buy the club and secure its future back in March, but it now looks as if Couhig is about to save the day and keep the football club in the Football League.

Matters off the pitch have continued to effect those on it in each of the past two league campaigns, with the Royals docked a total of 18 points during Yongge’s tenure, as they continue to struggle to keep their head above water.

After surviving a six-point deduction in the 2021/22 campaign, another half dozen points off their tally in 22/23 put paid to their Championship status, as they dropped into the third tier by virtue of their deductions, as their owner failed to make payments on time.

The Royals were once again fighting for their status as a League One club in the previous campaign, as a further six points were deducted once again, although after early struggles, the players on the pitch fought to keep the side in the third tier under the management of Ruben Selles.

Amid all of their financial difficulties, the Royals were even contemplating selling their training ground to Couhig’s former side Wycombe, only for any potential purchase of Bearwood Park to be put on hold.

Overall, it has been a tumultuous time for anyone associated with The Royals, and the news that their club could potentially be out of Yongge’s hands in two weeks will be music to their ears.

Rob Couhig set to save the day as Dai Yongge’s Reading FC reign looks set to end

Representative of Couhig’s party were said to be at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Monday to compete a deal, with the purchase said to be coming into its final stages.

The former Chairboys chief will also have no problem passing the EFL’s Owners and Directors Test in English football, given his past ownership of a Football League club.

Couhig was in charge at Adams Park for just over four years, before selling the club to Mikheil Lomtadze before the previous came to a close, ended a period of unprecedented success for Wanderers.

After being on the bring of relegation to non-league in 2014, the Buckinghamshire has continued to rise, and with Couhig's backing made it to the Championship in the 2019/20 campaign, as they won the League One playoff final under Gareth Ainsworth.

The EFL have already attempted to oust Yongge from his position in Berkshire, as they tried to have him disqualified last year, but the Independent Disciplinary Commission acted to stop that taking place, instead imposing a financial sanction on the Chinese businessman.

It isn’t just the men’s team that has felt the effect of Yongge’s ownership, with Reading Women having to withdraw from the Championship, and will have to restart their journey in the fifth tier of the game.