Brynjar Gunnar-gone?
Jul 20, 2005
Author: Iceman

Reports in Iceland suggest that Watford's 29 year old Icelandic international midfielder Brynjar Gunnarsson is on the verge of a move to Championship rivals Reading.

Watford have apparently accepted a bid for the player, and the deal should be completed by the end of the week. The fee is not known, but could be anything in the region of £250k-£500k.

Reading midfielder Andy Hughes is on the verge of a move to Norwich City, and the Royals appear to have acted swiftly to bring in a replacement. Icelandic team-mate and Reading defender Ivar Ingimarsson may have been influential in Reading's decision to bid for Gunnarsson.

The news will come as a shock to Watford supporters, as Gunnarsson was expected to play an important role this season. He had so far missed all of Watford's pre-season matches due to a knee ligament strain, and it remains to be seen whether this injury will obstruct any potential move away from the club.

If Gunnarsson does leave, Watford will almost certainly have to look for a new central midfield player, with back-up players Dominic Blizzard, Jamie Hand, Al Bangura and Toumani Diagouraga still young and inexperienced. One name that has been mentioned is West Brom's want-away midfielder Jason Koumas, although attracting a player of such calibre to the club may prove very difficult.