Big Reading FC update emerges as Rob Couhig set to complete deal with Dai Yongge | OneFootball

A big update has emerged regarding Reading's ownership situation

Rob Couhig has agreed a reported £25 million deal to purchase League One side Reading from controversial owner Dai Yongge.

The Royals have endured well-documented hardship under Yongge's ownership, having been up for sale for nearly 600 days amid a number of protests from supporters in a bid to save the club.

Reading have faced the real threat of administration, with fans understandably fearful over the club's future with Yongge at the helm. However, the Chinese businessman has now seemingly agreed a deal to sell the Berkshire outfit in what represents long-awaited light at the end of the tunnel for supporters.

Rob Couhig agrees deal to purchase Reading FC from Dai Yongge

According to a recent report from The Sun, Couhig has agreed a deal after reviving the offer he made to Yongge last summer, which failed to go through at the time.

Couhig, who formerly owned local rivals Wycombe Wanderers, has been continually linked with a potential purchase of Reading.

It's said that the American lawyer has agreed to play more of Yongge's asking price upfront in order to complete the purchase this month, with a race of time now ahead to officially get the deal over the line in the next week or so.

The EFL have imposed a deadline of April 22 for Yongge to sell the club, which was initially set at April 5 before being extended, after the owner was disqualified under the EFL's owners' and directors' test in February. Should Yongge fail to meet this deadline, Reading face the risk of seeing their remaining matches suspended.

There is an eagerness to take Reading out of Yongge's hands. The club were relegated to League One under his ownership in 2023 after incurring a six-point deduction, and have suffered further sanctions in the third-tier.

Yongge has reportedly signed exclusivity deals with five separate buyers, including two with Couhig, adding to the frustration long held among supporters.

Reading FC deserve credit for on-pitch exploits amid Dai Yongge turmoil

The one overarching positive at the Select Car Leasing Stadium has been the team's performances on the pitch, which have come in spite of unrelenting turmoil away from it.

Reading, despite everything that has happened under Yongge over the last few years and the mid-season departure of popular head coach Ruben Selles to Hull City, are currently sixth in the League One standings with just five matches to spare.

Noel Hunt has taken over from the Spaniard to great effect and has a young, threadbare and cheaply-assembled squad punching well above its weight in a division with colossal spenders such as Birmingham City and Reading.

The Royals' playing and coaching staff have performed admirably under extremely difficult circumstances all year long, and this squad has seriously exciting potential if the club finally begins to move in the right direction with Couhig taking over from Yongge at long last.