Ireland international Stephen Hunt has promised to do everything in his power to fire Reading back into the Premier League after agreeing a new contract.
The Portlaoise midfielder was strongly linked with a £5 million move to Wigan and Spurs in the January transfer window.
But Royals received no official bids a before Monday’s deadline and Hunt is now on the verge of penning a bumper new deal.
The 27-year-old winger was already under contract until 2011 and his new one will keep him tied to the club for a further year on improved terms.
The Ireland star revealed: “I had a clear head about three or four days before the QPR game. I knew what was going on so there wasn’t a problem.
“Even if people had come in for me on deadline from clubs I’ve been linked with, especially one club, I wouldn’t have gone there.
“I’m happy where I am and I’m looking forward to the rest of the season and hopefully we can kick on and get points on the board.
“We want to be in the Premier League and my big aim is to get in a lot of crosses and score lots of goals. That’s my target and I’m determined to have a big impact on the rest of the season.
“The speculation wasn’t really playing on my mind, But I think the best is still to come from me and hopefully the fans will see that over the next few months.”
Hunt is expected to put pen to paper any day now and Royals director of football Nick Hammond stated: “There are a few things to tie up but it should be a formality.
“There has been a lot of speculation about Stephen but we have worked hard to find a solution to keep him here.
“The most important thing for us in January was keeping the squad together and we have done that.
“People are aware about the £5 million clause in his contract but we never had an offer that met that figure. And I must say Stephen’s commitment throughout this time has been outstanding.”
Stephen Hunt has accused Reading of lying about the chances of his return to the Premier League.
The Ireland international has a clause in his contract that says he can leave the club for £5million.
Wigan and Spurs are both keen and know Hunt is desperate to taste top-flight football again.
Reading boss Steve Coppell has claimed no bids have been received by anyone but Hunt reckoned this was a smokescreen.
He said: 'I know they have been contacted by clubs. Maybe some people need to go to church on a Sunday for confession.
'A lot of things have been said and a lot of things have been denied. It's quite embarrassing really but you have to get on with it.
'I know exactly what's happening and it amuses me when I see the comments that come out. But I suppose they've got a job to do, though it really is shocking. The noise is frightening but at the end of the day what can you do?'
Reading are on course for a top-flight return themselves and Hunt did not rule out staying.
He said: 'Staying here and winning promotion with Reading is still a possibility, of course it is. Whether clubs can come to an agreement, only time will tell.
'The manager expects me to stay and I'm happy here. But at the same time Premier League football is hard to turn down.'
Reading and Ireland midfielder Stephen Hunt has won the December Powerade Player of the Month Award in the Coca-Cola Championship.
Hunt's performances were at the heart of a fantastic month for Reading, which saw them pick up 17 points from their seven league fixtures.
The Irish international's impressive displays helped the Royals to five straight wins at the beginning of the month, including his eighth goal of the season in the victory against Norwich. Two solid draws against Cardiff and Southampton rounded off an unbeaten December to help Reading close the gap on league leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers as they head into 2009.
Chris Kamara, chairman of the Powerade Player of the Month Awards panel, said:
"Stephen Hunt has been in terrific form for Reading since the start of the season and December was no exception. His driving displays from the heart of midfield were instrumental in his side's fine performances, which saw the Royals remain unbeaten throughout December and notch five consecutive wins in a row that culminated in an outstanding away victory at promotion rivals Birmingham City."
