Nigel Howe: Reading receive 'approaches from around world' to buy League One club

Reading FC's Select Car Leasing Stadium — Reading currently sit 18th in League One, seven points clear of the relegation zone

Former Reading CEO Nigel Howe says there have been "lots of approaches from around the world" to buy the League One club.

Howe is involved in brokering the sale of the Royals, and believes owner Dai Yongge is eager to complete a deal.

"It's quite clear that Mr Dai has committed to sell the club at the earliest opportunity," he told BBC Radio Berkshire.

"We've had North American, Far East and British enquiries."

When asked about a timescale this could be completed in, Howe said mid-May might be realistic, soon after the Royals finish their League One campaign.

On Monday, the Reading Chronicle reported multiple meetings had taken place between interested parties and Dai Yongge's representatives with all sides leaving feeling "very positive".

Reading and Wycombe Wanderers released a statement this week that plans to complete a sale of the Royals' Bearwood Park training ground had been put on hold after Wycombe said they had since found out "planning limitations allowed only Reading to use the grounds".

Prior to this, Wycombe said they were hoping the finances used in any potential deal would help the Royals after they announced a shortfall in their financial figures for the month of March.

BBC Sport understands the figure to be about £1m.

Any failure to complete their financial obligations would likely put Reading in danger of facing another points deduction and threatening their status as a League One club.

Ruben Selles' team are 18th in the table, seven points clear of the relegation zone with seven league games remaining.