Not sure the chance ever actually arose did it..? Reading wouldn't sell, and that's about it. As far as Antonio is concerned, he would certainly have been better off staying with us.
My understanding was that his contract had expired at Reading , so we could have signed him on a free albeit we would have had to pay compensation. I think Reading then offered him a new deal as their valuation of him was alot more than ours.
My understanding was that his contract had expired at Reading , so we could have signed him on a free albeit we would have had to pay compensation. I think Reading then offered him a new deal as their valuation of him was alot more than ours.
Reading had a clause in his contract which allowed them to retain him for another season. Their value of him didn't match ours, which is a shame, as they have since, thoroughly underused him. You can't progress if you don't play, and he was already easily good enough for League One. Should be playing Championship football, IMO.
Agreed i thought he was a real prospect when he played for us, loads of pace and a delap style throwcertainly a very usefull IMPACT sub.
We ended up replacing him with OXO, of course. Pacy winger style. But Antonio still has that to offer for Championship teams. Sadly, it's all a bit late now. We've progressed to the point where we don't need him anymore. However, if he'd have stayed with Saints, I'm sure he would be a valuable player, simply by progressing with us.
Are you sure I thought that Puncheon was brought in instead?
