JAAP Stam admits the mystery surrounding a Chinese takeover at Reading FC is hampering his ability to plan for the future.

Royals have been in the grips of a takeover since last year after a consortium from China led by siblings Dai Yongge and Dai Xiu Li launched a bid to buy a 75% stake of the club from the current Thai owners.

They met with EFL representatives in Preston in mid-December, but little information has been forthcoming since amid fears the deal has collapsed.

The pair have already seen one takeover attempt crash when a £130m bid for Hull City was rejected by the Premier League last summer before it had reached the owners and directors test stage.

It is said the main reason behind that deal falling through was due to a lack of transparency over the other members of the consortium who were set to provide around 50% of the funding.

It is thought Premier League chiefs passed on their reservations to EFL bosses who also have their own concerns.

Stam appears no closer to knowing whether the takeover will now go ahead, though the Chronicle understands nothing is likely to happen until the end of the season at the earliest.

Royals' boss said: “I don't know to be fair, I haven't spoken about this (the takeover) for weeks. I don't know what's going to happen.

“But I do know that if you want to achieve in football you need a plan and to know where you are going.

“If that's not clear as we go towards the end of the season, and it isn't, it doesn't help.

“That counts for everybody including the owners, players and myself.”

Reading Chronicle:

Dai Yongge is part of a Chinese consortium trying to buy a majority share in Reading FC.

Reading’s latest financial figures shows the club’s debt has risen to £73m.

However, the Chronicle revealed how Royals received a £10.3m million loan in January from Hong Kong-based Great Shine International Limited who are thought to be part of the Chinese consortium.

Reading remain fifth in the Championship table and three points ahead of seventh-placed Fulham, who could only draw 2-2 at home with Blackburn last night in their game in hand over the Royals.

Stam's men will now look to end a run of three straight away defeats without scoring a goal when they travel to sixth-placed Sheffield Wednesday on Friday night (7.45pm ko).

However, first-choice centre-backs Liam Moore and skipper Paul McShane have both shaken off knocks and should be available for the trip, though Liam Kelly, Jordon Mutch, Stephen Quinn, Tiago Ilori, Callum Harriott, Deniss Rakels, Sandro Wieser and Danzell Gravenberch are all out.