Kebe could make contract ‘U’ turn

Despite recent speculation linking him away from the club, Reading winger Jimmy Kebe could be set to sign a new deal with the Royals, after being offered a new and improved offer from the club’s board.

It has been a long and winding saga for Kebe and McDermott, with the Reading boss revealing a few days ago that they rejected an offer from an unnamed club, believed to be West Ham with an offer of around £750k.

Fellow Championship side Leicester City are also keeping tabs on the Malian winger, who has started to pick up in form recently. A move home to his native country France could also be on the cards for the 27-year old.

McDermott told BBC Radio Berkshire: ‘I’ve also spoken to the board and they have said he is going nowhere and that is where we are at this moment in time. It is a two-and-a-half-year-deal that we have offered him. I spoke to Jimmy on Tuesday and I want him to stay.’

Whether Kebe accepts this new and improved two-and-a-half year deal remains to be seen. A few months back the club said they had given their final offer, which Kebe rejected but with his contract running out at the end of the season, the Reading board are looking to sort the situation.

Should Kebe move on, McDermott could turn to long-term target Michael Jacobs, who currently plays for Northampton. The tricky left-sided winger has always impressed McDermott, with the former Slough boss publicly admitting the talents of the 20-year old.