Aaron Tshibola ‘set his mind’ on leaving Reading for Aston Villa, according to Jaap Stam.
Royals’ boss went on record recently saying he had no intention of selling the impressive young midfielder this summer.
But just a few days later Villa had a £5 million bid accepted for the 21-year-old, leading to some suggesting Reading's owners had gone against the manager’s wishes by sanctioning the move.
Stam insists, however, that is not the case and that everyone at the club wanted to keep hold of Tshibola.
But the situation changed when Tshibola made it clear he had no intention of sticking around.
“It’s not just about it being a tough bid to turn down,” said Reading’s manager - who led his side to a 5-0 win at Boreham Wood on Saturday.
“The voice of a player counts as well.
“I said I wanted Tish to stay because he’s a very good player, I think everyone within the club wanted him to stay.
“An offer came in for him and of course you have to think about what to do - but then you have the player as well.
“If the player wants to leave and had set his mind on leaving the club then what can you do and that point?
Stam added: “I spoke to him but there are a lot of people around him talking and saying things as well.
“If everybody is telling him to leave and he wants to leave himself then we have to deal with it.”
Tshibola’s switch to Villa Park is expected to be confirmed later today.
