Newly promoted Huddersfield Town target Danny Williams has been offered a new deal by Reading, according to GetReading.
Williams attracted widespread attention for a string of outstanding performances last season that peaked with a sublime display in the middle of the park against Huddersfield in the Championship Play-Off final, which Reading went on to lose 4-3 on penalties.
The American midfielder scored his penalty – a calm roll down the middle – but it wasn’t enough as Liam Moore was denied by the crossbar before Jordan Obita saw his effort saved by semi-final hero Danny Ward.
The performance was so impressive that Huddersfield manager David Wagner has launched an attempt to bring the American in.
With his contract expiring this summer, Williams is free to move clubs without a fee, but Reading have now offered the American a contract, although it is not yet known whether Reading’s new Chinese owners are willing to match his bumper contract offered by the previous owner Anton Zingarevich.
His partnership with George Evans in the centre of midfield was immensely effective throughout the Play-Offs and second half of the season, helping to limit Tom Cairney and Aaron Mooy, two of the division’s best players, to scraps.
The Play-Off performances only emphasised Williams’ importance to the side – his buzzing energy in the box-to-box midfielder role helps increase the tempo in a system that has too often lacked a cutting edge this season.
Already buoyed by the news that in-demand manager Jaap Stam will most likely be staying at the club, keeping hold of fan-favourite Williams will set Reading on course for another successful season.
It remains to be seen whether he will sign the new deal – his intention to play in the Premier League is clear, but if Huddersfield miss out here it will only add salt to the wounds of being ruled out the race to sign Leeds’ Chris Wood.
