Latest Reading FC transfer news: Royals facing battle for Hugill, Ince keen to bolster midfield | OneFootball

Reading will be hoping to get back to winning ways in the Championship this weekend when they head to the bet365 Stadium to face Stoke City.

The Royals were seemingly on course to seal all three points in their showdown with Queens Park Rangers last weekend after Jeff Hendrick’s brace gave them a two-goal lead in this clash.

However, the R’s managed to rescue a point thanks to two strikes from Tyler Roberts in the second-half of this fixture.

Whereas some of Reading’s Championship rivals have already conducted transfer business this month, the nature of the club’s current embargo has limited their ability to sign players.

As it stands, Reading will need to part ways with current members of their squad in order to make room for new signings as they have a full capacity of players at their disposal (25).

A report from Football Insider earlier this month revealed that Reading were interested in signing Jordan Hugill from Norwich City.

It is understood that the Royals have submitted a bid for the forward who will be allowed to leave the Canaries during the current transfer window.

Reading are now seemingly set to face a battle to secure the services of Hugill as the 30-year-old has emerged as a target for a number of other clubs.

As per a fresh report from the aforementioned website, Derby County, Birmingham City and Rotherham United are all believed to be keen on signing the forward.

Hugill was left out of Norwich’s squad by head coach David Wagner for their victory over Preston North End last weekend and has only featured on seven occasions for the club in the Championship this season.

Paul Ince has admitted that he is keen on strengthening his options in the heart of midfield before the window closes.

Reading are currently able to turn to the likes of Hendrick, Mamadou Loum and Tyrese Fornah for inspiration in this particular area of the pitch.

Speaking to BerkshireLive, Ince said: “I think we need another midfield player – we can’t keep playing Tom Ince right midfield – it’s not his position because he’s a winger.

“That leaves us with Jeff Hendrick, Mamadou Loum and Tyrese Fornah – Sam Hutchinson [too but] we have to be careful with him – so I would love to get a new centre midfield player in but you don’t always get what you ask for.”