Reading winger Jimmy Kebe offered new contract

Kebe has made 120 league starts for Reading

Reading manager Brian McDermott says the club have offered winger Jimmy Kebe a new two-and-a-half-year deal.

Kebe, 27, has played 20 times for the Royals this term but is out of contract at the end of the season.

The Mali-born international has been linked with a January move to both West Ham and Leicester but McDermott is hopeful he will decide to stay.

"I spoke to Jimmy on Tuesday and I want him to stay, we made him an offer," McDermott told BBC Radio Berkshire.

The Reading boss added: "Jimmy now has to digest the offer."

Reading signed Kebe in January 2008 from Lens while he has also had loan spells at Chateauroux and Boulogne.

Kebe, who has not made it into the Mali squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations finals, has played 158 times for the Championship side, scoring 24 times.

McDermott added: "I've also spoken to the board and they have said he is going nowhere and that is where we are at this moment in time.

"It is a two-and-a-half-year-deal that we have offered him."

Kebe is free to talk to other interested clubs now as the January transfer window is open and he is in the final year of his deal, while he could also leave Reading for nothing at the end of the season.

It is a dilemma McDermott says the club have to consider.

"The board have said they are not looking to sell him," he added.

"I understand how it works and if he decided to see out his contract then that is up to him and if he decides to sign a new contract then we will be delighted."