The Blues appear to have missed out on signing the Icelandic youngster tipped to be the new Eidur Gudjohnsen. Striker Viktor Unnar Illugason, 16, agreed to join the Town academy at the end of last season but now looks to be on his way to newly promoted Reading.
Illugason spent a number of spells on trial at Playford Road as a schoolboy and was named amongst the academy's new full-time scholars in April. Town's expectation was that he would join the rest of the new intake at the end of the Icelandic season in October where he was playing with hometown club Breidablik, scoring his first senior goal on his debut in May.
However, it has recently emerged that Illugason had, unbeknownst to Town, signed a professional contract with Breidablik, who in turn were unaware of his agreement to join the Blues.
The existence of a professional contract with the Icelandic club meant that Town would be required to pay a fee in order to sign the U17 international. However, reports in Iceland indicate that Illugason now appears to have set his mind on joining Reading, another club with whom he spent time as a schoolboy, their recently gained Premiership status perhaps having some bearing on his u-turn.
Illugason, who has also interested Feyenoord, is already a big star in Iceland with high expectations for his future. The media have predicted that his career could match the achievements of current national hero Eidur Gudjohnsen, while fans have nicknamed him ‘Ãslenski Rooney'.
Elsewhere, Town target Paul McShane has completed his move from Manchester United to West Bromwich Albion as part of the deal which saw goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak move to Old Trafford on a season-long loan.