Portsmouth target sees contract with EFL side extended by 12 months
08/05/2024 11:29
Reading have activated their 12-month contract extension clause on Michael Craig amid links to Portsmouth, as detailed on their official club website.
Reading have extended the midfielder’s stay at the Select Car Leasing Stadium until 2025 meaning a transfer fee will need to be required to lure him away from Berkshire this summer. He has been linked with League One champions Portsmouth as they prepare for life in the Championship, as per a report by Football Insider.
Craig, 20, has caught the eye with the Royals since his move there in 2022 and they could face a battle to keep hold of him in the upcoming window. He is a Scotland youth international and last represented his country at Under-21 level.
Reading have become one of the latest teams to publish their retained list following the end of the 2023/24 campaign and have confirmed that Craig’s stay has been prolonged.
Reading extend stay of Portsmouth target
Craig could be seen by Portsmouth as someone to provide more competition and depth to their options in the middle of the park.
He has bags of potential and will only get better in the future. The prospect played for Watford before linking up with Tottenham Hotspur and rose up through the academy ranks of the Premier League outfit.
The Barnet-born man didn’t make a senior appearance for Spurs and was allowed to leave on a permanent basis two years ago.
Craig has enjoyed plenty of game time with Reading and his time there has been beneficial to him. He has played 41 games for them in all competitions to date.
Extending his stay by a year is a shrewd move by Ruben Selles’ side as it means they won’t be losing him for free and will pick up money for him if he was to head out the exit door.
As per the Royals’ retained list, Femi Azeez, Jeriel Dorsett, Kelvin Ehibatiomhan, Joel Pereira and Jayden Wareham have had their deals extended, whilst Kelvin Abrefa and Tivonge Rushesha have been offered fresh terms.
Matty Carson, Nesta Guiness-Walker, Sam Hutchinson and Clinton Mola have been released and need to find new homes as free agents, whilst Dom Ballard, Tom Holmes, Zane Monlouis and Paul Mukairu have all gone back to their parent clubs following the end of their loans.
What next for Reading man?
Time will tell whether Portsmouth are to make a move for Reading’s Craig. John Mousinho will be eager to add more quality to his ranks to ensure that his team are competitive in the league above.
The youngster has never played at Championship level before and may need some time to adapt if he is to make the switch to Fratton Park.
Reading will be hoping that they can fend off competition from elsewhere to keep hold of him. Selles’ men finished 17th in the table this past term.
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