Sidwell, 24, is rated in the £8million class rejected all offers to extend his stay at Madejski Stadium - believed to be up to £25,000 a week.

Coppell, meanwhile, is set to announce his first signing of the close season - believed to be an overseas capture who can play in midfield or defence - but told the Reading Evening Post: "We won't get a like-for-like for Siddy.

"He is a good player and that is why the half the Premiership were trying to sign him. We will get somebody (as replacement) who has positives and negatives."

Coppell added: "Siddy has very much been our driving force all this year. There are elements of his game where you can say he can't do this or that, but he is only 24 and he is nowhere near his peak years yet.

"The one thing I know about him, having taken him on loan at Brentford when he was 17 is the progress he has made year on year and the contributions he has made.

"His is a fabulous mentality to have. I know wherever he goes he will establish himself - whether it is at Chelsea or anywhere else."