Derby County along with Premier League side AFC Bournemouth are interested in signing Reading left-back Omar Richards, according to The Sun.
The 19 year-old has broken into the Reading first-team this season but his contract expires at the end of this season. He may leave Reading for just £2 million, with Derby and Bournemouth in the lurch.
Richards, born in Lewisham, was in the Fulham academy as a youngster but was released at the age of 15. He then joined Reading at U16 level. He signed his first professional contract in July 2016.
Richards is being tipped as one of the brightest young talents in the Reading ranks. He made his debut on the opening day of this season for the Royals. His impressive performances at such a young age have left Reading’s fans excited. They will now be hoping they can see off interest for him in January and tie him down a longer deal.
Premier League side Bournemouth are being linked with a move for Richards. Their boss Eddie Howe is believed to monitoring Richards’s progress at Reading.
Reading’s Championship rivals Derby County are also said to be keen. The Rams were apparently impressed by Richards’s performance for the Royals against them this season. Derby are 8th in the Championship table and looking to push on into the Play-Offs. The potential signing of Richards would certainly give them more options.
Reading have struggled so far this season in the league but one positive for them is the potential of Omar Richards and seeing a youngster break into the first-team. They will be hoping they can hold onto him.
