Coppell - No Harper talks

Reading deny renewed Boro bid

Last updated: 19th August 2008

Coppell - No Harper talks

Coppell: No Harper deal

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Reading boss Steve Coppell insists talks are not ongoing with Middlesbrough over James Harper.

Reports over the weekend stated that Boro had increased their offer to £5million for the 27-year-old midfielder, who they have been chasing all summer.

Boro boss Gareth Southgate played down talk of a renewed bid and now Coppell says nothing is happening as regards Harper.

"I have not heard a dickie bird (from Middlesbrough) - they have gone nowhere near him," Coppell told the Evening News.

"I couldn't say if anyone will come in for any of my players before the deadline.

"There are still two weeks to go and it may be that if a couple of Premier League clubs have some bad results then they may decide to do something, but realistically I can't see it."

Looking for lefty

Also on the transfer front Coppell added that he was looking to bring in a new left-sided player, following Nicky Shorey's move to Aston Villa.

He refused to reveal his targets, although he has been strongly linked with Sheffield United's Chris Armstrong and Southampton's Andrew Surman.

"We do need another left-sided player and we do have a list of targets that we are working on," he added.

"There is nothing imminent and the search goes on, but it is not a desperate one because it has to be the right player. And we can always get a loan player in after August 31."