2009/10 to 2017/18

Reading spent one of the nine seasons from 2009/10 to 2017/18 in the Premier League and eight in the Championship. Their best finish was 19th, in 2012/13. They didn’t win a major trophy. Over those nine summers they paid £22.4m in transfer fees and took in £32.7m, a net profit of £10.3m.

Reading's decade had two great seasons and two painful days at Wembley. Fifth in 2010/11 ended in play-off final defeat to Swansea. In 2011/12 they won the Championship with 89 points. The Premier League season that followed was short on joy: 19th, 28 points, relegation.

Back in the second tier the club drifted to 19th and 17th before a remarkable 2016/17, third place and 85 points, ended with another play-off final loss, this time to Huddersfield on penalties. A year later they finished 20th.

Reading also had an eye for a player. Gylfi Sigurðsson left for Hoffenheim for £6m in 2010 and, seven years later, was sold by Swansea to Everton for £45m. Shane Long went to West Brom in 2011. On 115.football, keeping both is only the start. With £900m, Reading can turn a one-season visit to the Premier League into a long stay.