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Reading bid for Tom Ince rejected

Tom Ince has been linked with a string of Premier League sides © PA Photos

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Reading have had an offer for Tom Ince rejected by Blackpool after Brian McDermott confirmed the club are interested in the England Under-21 player.

Ince, 20, has been linked with Liverpool, Swansea and now Reading but the Seasiders have made it clear they don't want to part with their star man in the January transfer window.

"We've made a bid, we're waiting on Blackpool to come back to us on that one," McDermott said before the bid was rejected. "He's a Blackpool player so it's difficult for me to talk about players that don't belong to us.

"He's got quality, he can play number 10 or out wide on either side, he loves his football and can score or create goals. He's got a real hunger. He's a good player with potential, I imagine there's a lot of interest in him. But once again I have to say this is a player who doesn't belong to us."

McDermott has already confirmed he is hoping to add to his squad before the transfer window closes on Thursday night.

The club have already signed Daniel Carrico, Hope Akpan and Stephen Kelly and have now had a £1.25 million bid for Sheffield United striker Nick Blackman accepted.

"We think he's a good player, but again he's a Sheffield United player," McDermott said when asked about the 23-year-old who played in the Blades 4-0 defeat at Reading on Saturday.

As for the potential of pursuing other targets McDermott remained calm, but admitted there could be players leaving the club.

"We're trying. We've got a couple of targets that we've had for a while. Whether the deals happen or not, time will tell," he said. "And as far as people leaving, one or two perhaps, we'll see on that. I'd always speak to those players first.

"But if we don't sign anyone else in this window I'll still be happy. We've signed three players already and we're moving in the right direction. The most important players are always the ones who are here, not players who play for other clubs.

"If you do deals that you think can add to your squad then great, but if not I couldn't be happier to go with the players we've got."

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