By Ade O`Connor
July 21 2003

Michael Kennedy, adviser to David Connolly, today confirmed that a number of clubs were interested in signing the Wimbledon and Republic of Ireland striker. He named Reading as one club, but refused to be drawn to the names of others in the hunt to sign Connolly. Connolly had been in talks with Reading for some weeks, but even after Royals’ manager Alan Pardew named a Thursday deadline for the striker to sign, still no deal was struck. It is unclear whether Reading is still prepared to pursue the Irish international.

Nottingham Forest is thought to be another club chasing the services of David Connolly. Should the double European Cup winners sign him, Connolly would become the first player signed for a fee since Paul Hart took over some 2 years ago.

Any deal would take a week or more to finalise, considering the administration situation at Wimbledon currently. Therefore, Connolly would miss out on a great deal of his new club’s pre-season training and settling in period for many new signings.

It is of importance that the transfer is made quickly, for the benefit of all parties involved, but as of yet Connolly seems unconvinced that Reading are the club for him.

Another on going transfer situation for an Irish player, much in line with that of Damien Duff who also looks to complete a move.

Earlier in the summer Steve Finnan made an uneventful £4m move to Liverpool from his old club Fulham. Finnan is yet to feature for the Anfield side just yet, as he recovers from an old injury.