Reading are nearing the end of Dai Yongge’s troubled reign, with a much-needed takeover set to be completed in the coming weeks. Rob Couhig, the former Wycombe owner, is preparing to take over the ailing League One team.
Couhig, a 75-year-old American billionaire, makes an intriguing move, given that he left Wycombe at the end of last season, months after a bid to buy Reading’s training ground failed. Couhig sold a 90% stake in Wycombe to Georgian billionaire Mikhail Lomtadze.
Reading has been punished 18 points during Yongge’s tenure for violating a number of English Football League financial regulations, including late and non-payments. Yongge, who bought the club with his sister in the summer of 2017, has faced increasing fan pressure to sell in recent months.
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Reading, led by former Southampton coach Rúben Sellés, will be pleased with Couhig’s projected arrival after successfully securing safety last season. Reading finished seventeenth, nine points above the relegation zone. Couhig has spoken with Reading employees in recent weeks and is understood to be pleased about the potential purchase. Couhig purchased Wycombe’s majority interest in 2019, after discussions to buy Yeovil fell through. Reading’s ladies will compete in the fifth tier next season after withdrawing from the Championship, the second division.
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