Reading manager Paul Ince has opened up on how losing out to Cardiff City for the loan signing of Cedric Kipre left a "horrible taste" in his mouth.
West Brom centre-back Kipre became the Bluebirds' first loan signing of the summer, a key addition given Cardiff's well-documented shift to playing out from the back more this season.
The Bluebirds needed centre-back additions after the departure of senior defender Aden Flint and Sean Morrison's current injury strife. And, on the little evidence we have seen so far, Kipre has slotted into this new system well.
READ MORE: Cardiff City transfer news Live
That might not have happened, though, if Reading got their way. Ince has revealed that Kipre, 25, was a transfer target for the Royals this summer and the manager himself spent a lot of time with him in an attempt to convince him that Berkshire was the place for him this term.
But Cardiff swooped and ultimately sealed the deal, much to the frustration of the Bluebirds' upcoming opponents, Reading. Speaking about the botched move, Ince said: "We looked at Kipre from West Brom and we thought we were close to getting him. When you’re trying to do deals with clubs, they’ve got you over a barrel.
"I spent a lot of time with him and his agent but financially we couldn’t compete, then you see him swanning off to Cardiff and it leaves a horrible taste in your mouth as you do all the work, the player wants to come but we’re governed by what West Brom ask the clubs to pay."
Cardiff have brought in 14 new signings this summer, the latest of which being Kion Etete from Tottenham, which you can read more about here.
But it is understood the Bluebirds have hardly broken the bank this summer. On the contrary, they have dramatically reduced their wage bill this season and believe themselves to be operating at a far more sustainable level than they have done for some years. The notion they have outbid another club, notwithstanding Reading's financial difficulties, is perhaps tough to believe.
Nevertheless, City will likely field Kipre against Reading this weekend, one of many new faces who were not at the club last season. It certainly worked on the opening weekend, toppling title favourites Norwich City at Cardiff City Stadium.
Speaking about the test which faces his Royals team this weekend, Ince said: "They’ve had a go and brought in a lot of players, sometimes it can work one of two ways and have a different effect, but they’ve brought a lot of quality.
"Every game will be tough but there isn’t a lot between them. The first week is always a strange week so it’ll take six or seven weeks to work out what’s what."
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