McDermott rules out Aspas capture

Reading boss Brian McDermott has played down his side’s chances of signing Celta Vigo striker Iago Aspas.

Despite making three new additions to his squad this month, the manager of the relegation-threatened Premier League side admitted he is still on the lookout for further improvements.

Aspas has been a long-term target for Reading after notching 25 goals for the Spanish side last season, but a move looks unlikely with the 25-year-old’s 10-million-pound valuation out of reach for the club.

“I would be surprised if anyone could do that deal. It’s an expensive deal and a difficult one for anyone to do,” McDermott said.

“I’ve seen him play, our scouts have seen him play and he has had a couple of really good seasons. We know him – but it’s a very difficult deal to do. Celta Vigo are a big club.

“The money that they are talking about (for Aspas) is a fortune. There would have to be some structuring to do on that – but we’ve never done a deal like that.

“The biggest deal that this club has done is 2.5 million pounds when we signed Emerse Fae and we sold him back for the same sort of money – the same with Greg Halford.”

Stephen Kelly, Hope Akpan and Daniel Carrico have all arrived at the Madejski Stadium during the January transfer window and McDermott hinted at one or two more additions.

“We have signed three, but we are still in the process of looking,” McDermott said.