Reading FC takeover situation takes yet another twist involving Rob Couhig | OneFootball

The Royals are running out of time to find new owners at the EFL's deadline nears.

Former Wycombe Wanderers owner Rob Couhig is the new interested party involved in the Reading FC takeover saga after American businessman Robert Platek pulled out of negotiations.

Reading have until 22nd April to find new owners or they will come face to face with an eventuality that has been staring at them for a while now - being kicked out of the EFL.

The football governing body have ordered the club's owner, Dai Yongge, to divest his interest in the club before that date, near the end of this month, after he was disqualified as a director in March under the EFL's Owners' and Directors' Test.

Yongge was given until 5th April initially to find someone to take over his position at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, but the club managed to agree an extension on that deadline with the EFL to allow them more time to find a willing party.

Yesterday (Wednesday, April 9), the exclusivity period with one interested person, revealed to be Platek, ran out. The American has now dropped out of the race, as was confirmed by a statement from Reading, and they are now in negotiations with "an alternative bidder".

Mystery Reading bidder's identity revealed - it's Rob Couhig

According to The Guardian, the new vying party that wants to help save Reading is Couhig - the former owner of Wycombe who has had a long-standing interest in the Royals.

He tried to buy Reading's training facility at Bearwood while he was still in charge of the Chairboys, which got plenty of backlash before the deal ultimately fell through. The man who was once seen as one of the vultures ready to pick off the carcass of the Royals is now trying to provide them with yet another lifeline.

Even though his attempts to buy the club from Yongge haven't worked out in the past, with a deal falling through in September, they haven't deterred the 75-year-old American from getting his hands on the club.

Couhig and the club are in "advanced dialogue", as per the Reading statement, but he only has a dozen days from now to get this over the line before the promotion-chasing League One side are potentially banished from the EFL.

And despite being involved in a legal dispute with Yongge over potential lost profits from his proposed takeover deal falling through last year, Couhig is making one final play to get a deal over the line, without the need for the court battle to drag on.

Rob Couhig is Reading's best shot at survival, no matter how divisive his actions may be

Reading supporters, who have been protesting for a long time about their owner, will tell you that anybody will be better than their current Chinese custodian. It's a miracle that Noel Hunt's side are even in with a shout of making the play-offs given the current turmoil at the club.

Couhig didn't get off on the right foot with the Reading faithful with his attempt to poach Bearwood from them, but even that shouldn't put the fans off of him.

He's proven himself to be a stable owner who makes sure that his club operates smoothly, and that is exactly what the Royals need.