Omar Richards demonstrates why European royalty are interested in his signature in Reading’s 1-0 win at Rotherham

Reading left back Omar Richards impressed in South Yorkshire on Saturday as the Royals returned to winning ways with a 1-0 win at Rotherham in a week that has seen reports suggest that the 23-year-old is on the verge of signing a pre-contract agreement with German heavyweights Bayern Munich.

The Lewisham-born defender assisted the sole goal of the contest as his cross following a cleared corner was headed over the line by centre-back Michael Morrison. Referee David Coote did have to check his watch with it unclear as to whether or not the ball had crossed the line, however, 32-year-old was awarded his fourth goal of the season.

After weeks of speculation regarding his future, the young full-back demonstrated an experienced head, helping his side pick up a crucial win in their quest for a finish in the playoff positions. 

The left-back had been left on the bench in the Berkshire club’s previous game on Tuesday night, a 1-0 defeat at bottom-side Wycombe, possibly given the uncertainty and speculation regarding his future. However, Richards’ presence certainly improved Reading’s movement both offensively and defensively on Saturday as he both kept a clean sheet and was involved in the winning goal.

With the 23-year-old’s contract at The Madjeski Stadium set to expire at the end of the season, the player is free to find a new suitor and sign a pre-contract agreement ahead of joining in the summer. According to reports, there’s a strong chance that that club who swoops in for the Championship player is none other than World and European Champions, Bayern Munich.

Last season’s Champions League winners have already seen long-serving left-back David Alaba confirm his exit in the summer upon the expiration of his contract, leaving a void to fill. 

Naturally, the massively impressive Alphonso Davies will be offered the usual starting role at left-back from next season, however, the move would certainly offer Richards numerous opportunities to put himself on a pedestal for other top European clubs to see.

Of course, seeing a top-six Championship player move to a footballing establishment as colossal as Bayern Munich will raise numerous eyebrows, but the 23-year-old would be naïve to turn down an opportunity as promising as a move to Bavaria. 

Bayern Munich would also be just the second club for which Richards has played at, having gone through the youth setup at Reading. 

After being released at Fulham in 2013, the then 15-year-old opted for a move 41 miles west. Richards’ first professional contract was signed in the summer of 2016, making his first-team debut a year later on the opening day of the 2017/18 season in a 2-0 defeat at QPR.

With 92 senior appearances and three goals for Reading in the space of four years and an England U-21 cap under his belt too, there is no doubt that the player is a bright prospect. 

Time will tell as to whether or not he can meet the level of a football titan like Bayern Munich. What is a certainty though is that the Royals will feel aggrieved that the left-back will leave for free. With an outfit like Bayern sniffing around for Richards’ signature, a significant fee could’ve been paid had the player had at least over a year left on his contract, which could’ve made a major impact on the club financially.

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