Royals boss Nigel Adkins in Gary Hooper hunt
READING manager Nigel Adkins has asked his board to cough up the cash for Celtic hitman Gary Hooper.
The Royals boss wants to team up again with his former Scunthorpe United striker at the Madjeski Stadium.
He has given a list of summer targets to Reading’s owner, Russian billionaire Anton Zingarevich, and the 31-goal Hoops frontman is right at the top of it.
Adkins made two bids for Hooper when he was manager of Southampton and now he wants the 25-year-old to spearhead Reading’s Championship title challenge – as they look to bounce back into the Premier League at the first time of asking.
Express Sport revealed that top-flight new boys Hull City have already declared an interest in the English frontman, while Sunderland have also been linked with Hooper. Norwich and QPR are no longer in the running.
Hooper is keen to move and is in the last 12 months of his contract. Celtic have to decide whether to sell him now or lose him for nothing next year.
Would be mightily impressed if we pulled this one off.