Reading FC hit with £10.3m claim involving Rob Couhig | OneFootball

Reading FC have been hit by a £10.3m compensation claim by previously prospective owner Rob Couhig

Reading FC have been hit by a £10.3m compensation claim by Rob Couhig, who completed all the required paperwork to buy the club last summer, but did not receive a signature from current Royals owner Dai Yongge.

That's according to The Sun, who report that Couhig is seeking £800,000 in costs and £9.5m in potential lost profits, and has lodged a claim in the High Court against Renhe Sports Management, the company through which Yongge owns the Royals.

After agreeing a purchase price back in the summer, the American lawyer lent the club around £5m to help with running costs, but the current owner withdrew from a £30m agreement to sell.

If Couhig's claims are successful, it could have severe consequences for the future of Reading, a football club who are already on their knees financially courtesy of Yongge's continuing financial mismanagement.

Throughout the Chinese businessman's ownership, the Royals have been hit by point deductions for failing to meet financial obligations, such as a six-point penalty which was handed to the Berkshire club in April 2023 for breaching the EFL's profitability and sustainability rules, and cost them their previously held Championship status.

Couhig makes Reading compensation claim

The former Wycombe Wanderers chairman told The Sun: "I would much rather do a deal to take over the club than win these damages.

"I really want the club to transact before January so we can get down to business.

"But no one at Reading has had the courtesy to pick up the phone to me and say, ‘We don’t like X, we want Y'.

"I made it clear from day one I am not a bank.

"I was only lending them money to buy the club.

"I feel terrible for Ruben (Selles) and the boys.

"I’ve tried not to be a distraction, which is why I’ve not said anything.

"But enough is enough.

"I’m at my wits’ end and had to act."

Despite all their financial struggles, which could be further compounded by Couhig's claims, the Royals have been performing admirably well in League One.

Tuesday night's 3-0 victory over Cambridge United sees Selles' men sitting sixth in the third tier table, while they have not lost in the league since a late October defeat at Stockport County.

Perhaps if it wasn't for their financial struggles, the Royals would be in serious contention for promotion, but due to their monetary situation, they are likely to fall behind their play-off rivals following the January transfer window amid their current embargo.