Pavel Pogrebnyak's Reading move was all about the money

The agent of Reading forward Pavel Pogrebnyak has made it quite clear as to why he turned down Fulham and chose his new club instead: the money.

Once Pogrebnyak's short term deal at Fulham had finished last season, the expectation was that the Russian forward would sign a permanent contract almost immediately, such was his impression at Craven Cottage. While at Fulham, he scored a goal every other game, including a credible 25-minute hat-trick at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Martin Jol, though, at various stages during the player's loan period at the club, admitted he was playing a risky game in only tying the forward down to a short term deal. With the way Pogrebnyak was performing, our Dutch manager was more than aware that vultures were beginning to swoop.

And that they did. Aston Villa and Reading, among others, were linked with his name but the Berkshire club have come out as winners. What is clear now, though, is that the move was all in the finances.

"There are maybe a number of reasons why we have decided to move to Reading, but in the end, the difference in wages was too great and we could not ignore it," Pogrebnyak's agent, Dr Oliver Wendt, told the Fulham Chronicle.

Despite the callous rejection of Fulham, it was still clear that the striker enjoyed his time in SW6:

"We did go back to Fulham, but they were not prepared to improve their offer.

"He was happy at Fulham and had a really great time there. Maybe he could have signed a new deal, but we have to consider the amount being offered at Reading."

Money talks, I guess. Do you begrudge him the move, though?