Simon Cox

[dell boy]

For those who have made bids, Leicester look like the favourites, I'm sure he will be gone before the end of June.
I still think there are two clubs to play their hand yet and this is good news for us moneywise and they would also be preferred moves for Coxy - back to Reading and a move just down the motorway to QPR.

[Arriba]

why reading? they dont even have a manager at the moment

[SCM]

Yep. I'd be shocked if Q.P.R. weren't in for him. I also think Bristol City will try (and fail) to get him. They're in serious need of goals.

[Ardiles]

For those who have made bids, Leicester look like the favourites, I'm sure he will be gone before the end of June.

If he is going to go (and he is), then I hope he is gone by the end of June.  Any later than that and his departure will overshadow pre-season preparations.  It would also give us a better shot at finding a suitable replacement.

I wouldn't even be surprised if Cox was gone by the end of May.

[dell boy]

why reading? they dont even have a manager at the moment

Kitson goes back from loan, according to what I'm hearing in Reading - Lita, Long and Hunt will all be sold pre-season that will accrue about £8m and Mr M needs the money to bring in new blood, they have to go up next season (last balloon payment from the Premier) or tumble down the division.
Cox is a Reading boy, and would be a good signing for them at a reasonable price, seeing they get 30% off the fee anyway.
He would also be a very popular choice with the fans, they couldn't believe Reading released him in the first place and kept Lita.

[swindon-chap]

Cox won't go back to Reading. I listened to a recent interview with him where he clearly stated that he still feels bitter about never being given a fair crack in the first team there.

[wokinghamred]

Kitson goes back from loan, according to what I'm hearing in Reading - Lita, Long and Hunt will all be sold pre-season that will accrue about £8m and Mr M needs the money to bring in new blood, they have to go up next season (last balloon payment from the Premier) or tumble down the division.
Cox is a Reading boy, and would be a good signing for them at a reasonable price, seeing they get 30% off the fee anyway.
He would also be a very popular choice with the fans, they couldn't believe Reading released him in the first place and kept Lita.

And Brendan Rodgers, the Watford manager, is an early favorite to take over at Reading. He was in charge of the Reading academy for 6 years while Cox was there. Maybe Coxy will hang around to see if anything happens with reading.

[wokinghamred]

Cox won't go back to Reading. I listened to a recent interview with him where he clearly stated that he still feels bitter about never being given a fair crack in the first team there.

Yeah, but the entire management team of Coppell, Downes & Dillon that didn't play him have now gone. I bet he could be tempted.

[Peter Venkman]

I wouldnt be surprised if he went back to Reading, he is still a supporter of theirs and as stated above...the whole management structure may well be changed by the time he would return.

[jayohaitchenn]

He's a Liverpool fan, not a Reading fan.

[Reg Smeeton]

 The thought occurred to me also...would settle the add on clause.

 

[leefer]

Yep. I'd be shocked if Q.P.R. weren't in for him. I also think Bristol City will try (and fail) to get him. They're in serious need of goals.

My hunch is Swansea or Palace.

[ronnie21]

My hunch is Swansea or Palace.

Swansea might not be a bad shout, I did read that somebody was offering £3.5 mill. for Jason Scotland!

[Iffy's Onion Bhaji]

He'd be a good replacement for Scotland. If not though I can't see Swansea having the financial clout to put in a decent enough offer for him.

[Samdy Gray]

I like the cut of Mr Fitton's jib...

ANDREW Fitton has again warned the clubs coveting Town player of the year Simon Cox that only a “very special offer’’ will prise the 32-goal striker away from the County Ground.

Cox looks likely to become the subject of a looming bidding war following Fitton’s confirmation that Town had two fresh offers for the 22-year-old, one from Coca-Cola League One champions Leicester City and the other believed to be from Scottish champions Celtic.

The Championship-bound Foxes look certain to test Town’s resolve again, chairman Milan Mandaric admitting that Cox was high on their list of summer transfer targets.

But Town chairman Fitton confirmed: “The club has had a number of contacts both verbal and in writing from interested parties, but none of those offers have been accepted.

“We’ve had two written offers and it’s true that those weren’t offers that we’d be likely to accept.

“It’s going to take a very special offer to prise Simon Cox away. He’s a class act and comfortably the best striker in the division.

“We have no need to sell him and we have no desire to sell him, but equally it’s part of our job to help develop players and then allow them to move at the agreed time.”

Cox has a year to go on his current contract and the club have not given up hope of persuading him to extend his stay

But the future of the player has been at the centre of months of speculation with manager Danny Wilson admitting that it was “unrealistic’’ not to expect heightened interest in the ex-Reading frontman over the summer.

Last season Cox, who has scored 47 goals in 88 appearances for Swindon, was the subject of a believed £500,000 bid by League One rivals Huddersfield.

Town rejected that out of hand, but Premier League basement boys West Brom, Bolton, Hull City top flight-bound Wolverhampton Wanderers and Championship outfits Queens Park Rangers and Bristol City have also been among his suitors.

Celtic meanwhile, are also thought to be interested in Cox's teammate, teenage defender Sean Morrison.

Leicester though have made plain their interest, Mandaric saying: “He is a quality player and Nigel (Pearson, manager) and his staff think highly of him.

“We are interested but we are facing competition. He is on a shortlist.

“We are at a time when we are approaching that situation and I think we should know more in a few days.”

Meanwhile, Fitton has confirmed that defender Lescinel Jean-Francois has agreed the terms of a new contract, but has not yet signed it. Phil Smith and Craig Easton are still mulling over their offers.

http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/swindontown/news/4370540.Cox___the_wanted_man/