Championship and League One clubs in race for Reading FC player | OneFootball

Harvey Knibbs could become the latest player to leave Reading FC in the January transfer window.

That's after journalist Pete O'Rourke revealed that a number of Championship and League One clubs are interested in the striker.

Knibbs already a key man for Reading

It is not long since Knibbs first joined Reading, with the 24-year-old only moving to the club last summer, following the expiration of his contract with fellow League One side Cambridge United.

In the wake of that move, the striker has been an important player for the Royals, making some significant contributions for Ruben Selles' side.

In 35 appearances in all competitions for the club, Knibbs has scored 12 goals and provided five assists.

Now though, it appears that the 24-year-old could be on the move again, in the final days of the January transfer window.

Reading striker attracting significant transfer interest

With Reading currently in a precarious financial situation under the ownership of Dai Yongge, the club have allowed a number of players to leave in the January transfer window.

Nelson Abbey and Tom Holmes have been sold to Olympiacos and Luton Town respectively, with the latter being loaned back to the Royals for the remainder of the campaign, their only signing this month.

Meanwhile, Nesta Guiness-Walker has been allowed to join League One rivals Stevenage on loan for the remainder of the campaign.

that Tom McIntyre is also set for a move elsewhere in League One, with league leaders Portsmouth apparently close to a cut-price deal for the defender.

According to this latest update from O'Rourke, a number of clubs in the Championship and League One, are now looking into a late move for Knibbs, before the market closes on Thursday night.

The striker signed a three-year contract with Reading in the summer, securing his future with the club until the end of the 2025/26 season.

That ought to give the Royals some scope to negotiate any offer that comes in between now and the end of the window.

Reading in a League One relegation battle

With the financial issues that have plagued them leading to a four-point deduction for the Royals earlier in the campaign, Reading are now battling to avoid relegation from League One.

Ruben Selles' side currently sit 21st in the League One table, three points from safety, with 18 games of their season still to play.

The Royals are next in action on Saturday afternoon, when they travel to the Kassam Stadium to face Oxford United.

Losing Knibbs would be a blow for Reading

It does feel like it would be a big setback for Reading if Knibbs was to depart the club this month.

Despite their struggles, the striker has certainly impressed this season given his contributions to an out of form side, meaning you feel he would be important to any hopes they have of avoiding relegation.

However, there situation may make it hard to hold on to him, and a lack of incomings suggests that sourcing a replacement would not be easy for the Royals either.

As a result, it a move does go through to take Knibbs elsewhere before the window closes, it could push Reading even closer to League Two.