1 in and 3 outs we could see at Reading FC in the January transfer window | OneFootball

Reading look set to have a reasonably quiet January transfer window considering their transfer restrictions, with the club needing to abide by an EFL business plan for the remainder of the 2022/23 campaign.

However, manager Paul Ince won’t be too disheartened about the existing options he has at his disposal and he will be keen for the vast majority of these options to remain fit for the remainder of the campaign to give the club the best possible chance of staying up.

Currently sitting in 12th place, they are currently on course to achieve survival but their poor form before the international break shows that work needs to be done over the World Cup break to ensure they come back and perform in a more positive manner.

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Head of Football Operations Mark Bowen will be planning ahead for the next window whilst Ince focuses on his squad – and the Welshman may be bracing himself for a few departures with two players out of contract.

Any players that leave will need to be replaced considering the Royals’ limited squad depth, though they may need to focus on the free-agent market considering they brought in five loanees during the summer.

Looking ahead at the next window, we take a look at one man that could arrive at the Select Car Leasing Stadium and three that could be on their way out.

In: Michael Hector

Soccer Football – Carabao Cup – Third Round – Fulham v Leeds United – Craven Cottage, London, Britain – September 21, 2021 Fulham’s Michael Hector in action with Leeds United’s Daniel James Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley EDITORIAL USE ONLY

30-year-old Hector is still without a club and that comes as a surprise considering the amount of experience he has in the top two tiers of English football.

The Royals had been looking to seal a reunion with the Jamaican back in October – but EFL rules prevented them from doing so and it remains to be seen whether they will be able to move for him in January too.

They will need to offload a player or two to do so – and they may lose out with the central defender previously reported to have been training with Luton Town – but the Hatters haven’t signed him up yet.

That could provide his former side with the chance to swoop in and secure him for the remainder of the season and potentially beyond.

Out: Amadou Mbengue

Soccer Football – Championship – Burnley v Reading – Turf Moor, Burnley, Britain – October 29, 2022 Burnley’s Manuel Benson in action with Reading’s Amadou Mbengue Action Images/John Clifton EDITORIAL USE ONLY

The ex-Metz defender’s contract in Berkshire expires in January and that’s bad news considering how good he has been in a Reading shirt.

He may have only made eight league appearances this season – but the 20-year-old has already made a big impression and with that – he should be tied down to a multi-year deal if possible.

There’s every chance they could generate a sizeable fee for him in the future and that will only help them in their quest to abide by the EFL’s financial rules in the coming years.

And if Liam Moore leaves, his presence would certainly be valuable in central defence, though he can also operate in other positions if required.

Soccer Football – Championship – Reading v Preston North End – Madejski Stadium, Reading, Britain – November 4, 2022 Reading’s Andy Carroll in action with Preston North End’s Andrew Hughes Action Images/Andrew Couldridge EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Carroll is another player who is out of contract in January – and that’s a blow considering the Royals aren’t likely to get a better player than him in the winter transfer window considering their restrictions.

Having four main options up top has given manager Ince the chance to rotate and that’s been important considering Lucas Joao, Yakou Meite, Carroll and Shane Long’s injury records.

Long hasn’t been available at times this season, so having ex-England international Carroll has been useful and the Berkshire outfit will certainly want him to stick around.

However, he moved on from the Royals to West Bromwich Albion last January on the expiration of his contract and something similar could happen again this winter.

Out: Liam Moore

Soccer Football – FA Cup Fifth Round – Crystal Palace v Stoke City – Selhurst Park, London, Britain – March 1, 2022 Stoke City’s Josh Tymon celebrates scoring their first goal with Liam Moore Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

After falling out with the Berkshire outfit in January, it would be a surprise to some if he made another appearance for the club.

Shortly after being stripped of the captaincy, he moved to Stoke City on loan and could potentially be set for another temporary spell away from the SCL Stadium during the next window.

Considering he’s been injured for the vast majority of this calendar year though, the Royals may have a difficult task in trying to shift him on.

You feel both the player and the club would be open to a departure when 2023 comes along though.