#SimmoOutOfToon? Links To Reading FC Seem To Be Strengthening

But they remain short of options at centre-back where Alex Pearce, Kaspars Gorkss and Sean Morrison are the only specialists, and also at right-back where Shaun Cummings is the only recognised player following the release of Andy Griffin.

Rumours are now growing of interest in 25-year-old Simpson who has one year to run on his contract at St James' Park and has rejected a new deal.

from the Reading Chronicle

In a story that is surprising to no one, the rumors of Danny Simpson joining Danny Guthrie at Premier League new boys Reading seem to be strengthening. Simpson had a solid (or brilliant, depending on who you talk to) season at right back for Newcastle last season but semmed to put the handwriting on the wall when he rejected the offer of a new deal to stay on Tyneside. Living in the world of inference that is the transfer window, truth in this rumor would seem to indicate progress in the chase for Mathieu Debuchy as the transfer of Simpson would leave the Toon short at the right back position.

I am not going to cry if this move happens... I'm on the record as saying that I don't believe the numbers that suggested that Simpson was the best RB in the Premier League last season. I'm also on the record as suggesting that he is a little toward the tendency to not track back from time to time. He is absolutely a Premier League caliber player and would likely hold his own in Europe, but trading Simpson for Debuchy would have to be viewed as an upgrade at the position.

Now. If the rumors are true and Simpson transfers to Reading... and we don't get Debuchy. Oh, dear.