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Sometimes, the transfer window moves fast. Most Liverpool fans had just been hoping that the first signs of a fast-moving market would have involved the signing of a winger to help the club’s depth at the position and to cover for Sadio Mané while he’s at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Instead, it’s moving quickly on the now imminent finalised sale of Tiago Ilori, after rumours of his potential sale to Reading emerged earlier today. Now, according to multiple sources with ties to the club including Paul Joyce of The Times and James Pearce of The Echo, a deal has been agreed.
That deal would see the 23-year-old move to Reading for £3.75M if the player can agree personal terms. Reading had wanted to get a deal done quickly, in time for Ilori to face Manchester United in the FA Cup on the weekend, and it is not expected that agreeing personal terms will take long.
Reading approached Liverpool early in the window with a £2M offer for Ilori, while Liverpool were holding out for something closer to £5M for the Sporting CP product the Reds paid £7M for in the summer of 2013. The two sides were able to compromise on £3.75 in relatively short order.
Ilori has made three total senior appearances for Liverpool since his arrival, all in the FA Cup. He has also spent time on loan at Granada, Bordeaux, and Aston Villa—though he made zero appearances in his time at Villa, who at the time were still in the Premier League.
A move to Reading, who currently sit third in the Championship and are favourites to end the season in the playoffs, seems like a good move for all parties.