Reading boss Brian McDermott is convinced they can beat Liverpool for Blackpool winger Thomas Ince.
Unlike the Reds, Reading are willing to offer the Seasiders' £6.5 million.
When asked if the transfer would be testament to how far the club have come, McDermott replied: "Yes that's a good point if you consider where we were and where we are now. We do develop players and we've done that over a long period of time. It's testament to what we've done in the past 10-12 years."