3 players that could save Reading FC a lot of money | OneFootball

There are a number of youngsters who could help the Royals by providing extra squad depth in the first team.

League One club Reading are in a bleak situation at the moment.

The Royals may have ended last season on a positive note, with their 3-2 win against Blackpool sending the supporters home happy.

However, they desperately need a takeover deal to materialise if they are to give themselves a real chance of avoiding a relegation battle next term.

At this stage, with players departing in recent months and no one being signed, a battle against the drop looks likely.

Ruben Selles and the club's key players from last season may remain at the Select Car Leasing Stadium at this point, but it may only be a matter of time before they leave unless a sale can be sorted out.

Thankfully for the Berkshire club, they have some youngsters from the academy who could step up to the plate in the coming months to provide squad depth for the first team.

We have listed three young players who could save the club money by providing that depth.

John Ryan

Ryan can operate as a left-back and right-back, which could end up making him a good replacement for Clinton Mola.

The left-back area is one that ideally needs to be addressed, with Mola, Nesta Guinness-Walker and Matty Carson all leaving the club when their contracts expire at the end of the month.

But the right-back area could become a problem as well, with Kelvin Abrefa yet to put pen to paper on a new contract. His deal expires this summer, so the Royals need to try and tie him down quickly.

Ryan, who is under contract for another year after having his extension option activated, could be a good option to have with the lack of full-back depth in mind.

He looked excellent against Sunderland's U21 team and has been good enough under Noel Hunt (pictured above) to make the step up to the senior squad.

John Clarke

Clarke has played in several positions during his time at the SCL Stadium.

Already making his first-team debut for the Royals but suffering a long-term injury setback that disrupted his progression, he spent last season with the U21 team.

Although he's probably more suited to being a full-back than a winger, Clarke managed to get himself on the scoresheet a number of times for the academy during the latter stages of last term and could be a versatile first-team option to have.

The 20-year-old is loved by the supporters despite his limited first-team experience and having already played at a senior level, it may not take him long to shine in the third tier.

Clearly passionate about playing for the Royals, he could make a real impact during the 2024/25 campaign under Selles (pictured above).

Mamadi Camara

20-year-old Camara has endured a frustrating time in Berkshire.

Making his senior debut for the club during the early stages of 2021, the Guinea-Bissau international will be frustrated about the fact he has been unable to establish himself as an important first-teamer yet.

Showing real signs of promise, many fans want to see him play a big role for the Royals next term and he could do that by being a real asset on the wing or in a central midfield role.

Coming on as a winger on the final day of last season and setting up Harvey Knibbs' goal, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him shine in the final third again during the 2024/25 season and beyond.