Reading FC update will raise fears of January 2024 transfer repeat | OneFootball

Reading FC update will raise fears of January 2024 transfer repeat | OneFootball

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·4 December 2024

Reading FC update will raise fears of January 2024 transfer repeat

Article image:Reading FC update will raise fears of January 2024 transfer repeat

The Royals' fanbase will be keen not to see another firesale - but it could end up being inevitable.

Reading sold several valuable players during the January 2024 transfer window.


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This could have been costly, with Arsenal centre-back Zane Monlouis the only man coming in to add to their squad during the same window.

The Royals had a talented squad during the first half of the 2023/24 campaign but it was stripped of its depth in January earlier this year and the Berkshire side did very well to survive after that.

Nelson Abbey, who started regularly during the first half of last term, was the first key player to depart the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

He had established himself as a key first-teamer under Ruben Selles and showed some promise, which led to Olympiacos securing a deal for him.

Tom Holmes followed him out of the exit door, with the Royals' academy graduate sealing a move to Luton Town, though he was loaned back to Selles' side for the remainder of the campaign.

He wasn't the last centre-back to leave during that window, with Tom McIntyre moving to Portsmouth.

Thankfully for the Berkshire outfit, Tyler Bindon and Amadou Mbengue were able to stay fit and were able to form an effective partnership during the second half of the season, but these departures weren't helpful.

Caylan Vickers, who played out wide and up top for the Royals after emerging as a real talent for the first team, also left, and Taylan Harris followed Holmes to Luton.

The departures of Vickers and Harris were frustrating - because the former is a very talented player and the latter could have been a very useful wide option this season.

There was one other notable departure, with Nesta Guinness-Walker being loaned out for the remainder of the 2023/24 campaign before he was released in the summer.

Royals fans will be hoping that there isn't a repeat of January 2024's firesale but it's looking like there could be some departures in January to keep the club afloat.

Not only is a takeover seemingly not close to being completed, judging by an update published by the club on November 28th, but it also seems as though cash flow issues are a real issue again.

In a recent club statement, Reading wrote: "While discussions remain ongoing, the day-to-day operations remain in place with the club navigating cashflow challenges to meet its obligations.

"Full focus will remain on operating as prudently as possible until the sale is completed to new investors who can take the club forward."

This isn't the most reassuring update - and it left fans with plenty of questions.

Quite frankly, the Royals can't afford to see many players leave the SCL Stadium next month if they are to be competitive during the second half of this season.

The only position where they could probably afford to sanction an exit is the goalkeeping area, with Dean Bouzanis probably needing to be offloaded considering they already have a decent number of options.

Full-back is probably an area they need to add to - and they certainly can't afford departures in this area. The same could be said about the centre-back area, which hasn't fully recovered from the previous January window. Thankfully for them, some of their academy graduates have been able to step up.

In central midfield, Charlie Savage may have spent a bit of time on the bench this season, but he is such an important player and the Royals must retain their current midfield.

It wouldn't be as bad if they were able to replace these players, but because of their financial situation, they may not be able to.

On the wing, Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan's absence through injury reinforces the lack of depth they have there, and the Royals would be in a very bad situation in the striker department if Sam Smith becomes unavailable again anytime soon.

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