Southend United boss Kevin Bond has denied reports linking young forward Charlie Kelman with a move to Reading FC.
Speaking to the Southend Echo Bond said ‘That’s news to me,’ when asked to comment on rumours linking the 17-year-old striker with a move to the Madejski Stadium.
Reports claim Reading are keen to bolster their forward ranks after Nelson Oliveira’s return to Norwich City and were impressed with the teenager when he appeared against them in a recent friendly.
Bond was unaware of any interest in the attacker who made his first-team breakthrough at Roots Hall last season after coming through the club’s youth system.
He went on to make eleven outings in 2018/19 finding the net once during his EFL debut in a 3-2 defeat to Plymouth Argyle.
He signed his first professional contract with the club in January, after scoring an incredible sixty-one goals at under-16 level and eighteen goals in twenty-one appearances for the youth team.
The former Roots Hall season ticket holder is highly thought of at Southend and has been heavily involved in the club’s pre-season preparations.
Our View
It would be unusual if a manager did comment on a potential move before a deal is completed, especially when it is a young player, so Bond’s denial doesn’t mean there is no substance to the rumours.
Kelman is a talent and money is tight at Southend, if a bid comes in that is too good to turn down the player may well be on his way.
It would provide a financial boost for Southend but would possibly be a gamble for the young player, whose development would be better served in their first-team rather than Reading under-23s.
