Reading have agreed a deal to sign Malian international forward Jimmy Kebe. 23-year-old is out-of-contract in the summer and has agreed a deal to join The Royals.
Steve Coppell wants him Kebe now, rather than waiting until the summer, and his current club Lens have agreed, but there is a major problem as Kebe is currently on a season-long loan to second division Boulogne - who do not want to release him early.
"I did not expect to get an early like this so early, but I went to the coach [Coppell] and spoke with him directly - which apparently Boulogne did not like so much," he told Football365 in France.
"I thought that when Reading was going to agree with Lens, everything will be settled," he said.
"When I went to see the coach, I thought he would be happy for me and he was going to let me go. I did not think it would go so far.
"I have always dreamed of going to England, this is an opportunity to play against the likes of Arsenal or Manchester United, to face players like Cristiano Ronaldo. It is the chance of my life.
"This can only be beneficial for my progression, I said this to Philippe Montanier [Boulogne boss] but for the moment it has stopped."
Kebe says Coppell's personal touch won the day for him.
"I had several offers, but the coach didn't not necessarily call me - but the coach at Reading did," he added.
"Steve Coppell called me and told me he wanted me and that is obviously flattering."
