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Coppell dispels Hunt rumours

Image: Coppell: No plans to sell

Reading boss Steve Coppell has rubbished reports claiming Wigan have lodged a bid for Stephen Hunt.

Royals yet to receive approach for any of their players

Reading boss Steve Coppell has rubbished reports claiming Wigan have lodged a bid for Stephen Hunt. The Republic of Ireland international does have a £5million release clause in his contract, with a host of Premier League clubs believed to be ready to take up that offer. Wigan, Sunderland, Tottenham and Everton are all reported to be keen on the winger, although Coppell insists no approach has been forthcoming. "Stephen Hunt's situation is exactly the same as it was last summer. There has been no official contact from anyone," he told the Evening Post. "To be fair to him, he has made his desires known, but he fully realises that he has a challenge here and he is fully committed to that challenge." Coppell has also seen James Harper, Bobby Convey and Leroy Lita fall under the radar of other clubs in recent weeks.

Speculation

He does, however, maintain that he has every intention of keeping his promotion-chasing squad in one piece. "At this stage of the transfer window there is always speculation, but there has been nothing official," added Coppell. "I have had one phone call enquiring about a player, but that was all it was - a phone call asking about the situation. It was the sort of call I have probably made a dozen times in the last month. No one has bid anything for anyone. "I don't want to lose anyone, but you can just never tell what happens. "And sometimes if it does happen, it can happen just like that. At the moment you have a lot of agents trying to generate business because if they do that then they make money. "There are a lot of if-and-but scenarios, but no-one has come to me asking to buy one of my players."