Exclusive: Reading FC enter transfer talks to sign Wolves player on a free with key clause included | OneFootball

Reading are in talks with Wolves over a free transfer for former loanee Chem Campbell, Football League World has learned

Reading have entered negotiations with Wolves over a permanent return to the Select Car Leasing Stadium for Chem Campbell, Football League World can exclusively reveal.

The Royals are now able to conduct transfer business in earnest following Rob Couhig's purchase of the League One club from controversial former owner Dai Yongge last month.

Throughout Yongge's disastrous reign at the helm, Reading were hamstrung by a series of transfer embargos imposed by the EFL. They have, however, since been removed from the EFL's embargo list and will look forward to being able to operate freely in the market without restriction.

Couhig's takeover, then, is sure to see a clutch of players land in Berkshire over the coming weeks and months, while a return for Campbell is also being explored after the winger spent the duration of the 2024/25 campaign on loan with the Royals as Noel Hunt secured a seventh-placed finish.

Reading FC in talks with Wolves over Chem Campbell transfer agreement

Sources close to FLW have disclosed that Reading are currently holding talks with Wolves over the signing of Campbell on a permanent basis following his loan stay with the club last time out.

FLW understands that this deal could be a free transfer with the inclusion of a sell-on clause. The exact details of the potential sell-on clause remain unclear, but Campbell's age means that such a clause was always going to be mooted by the Premier League outfit.

The 22-year-old is currently contracted to Wolves until 2026, while the Old Gold also have the option to extend his terms by a further year.

Campbell, a former Wales youth international, graduated from Wolves' academy with flying colours and had been strongly tipped to enjoy a fruitful career at Molineux, but he has mustered just eight senior appearances for the club amid a series of League One loan spells with Charlton Athletic, Wycombe Wanderers and, most recently, the Royals.

Wolves' Chem Campbell made a solid impression at Reading FC in 24/25

The talented winger enjoyed a strong start to life at Reading after joining on an initial loan deal for the first-half of the previous campaign, which saw him register five goals and four assists from 22 appearances across all competitions.

Reading were able to re-sign Campbell on loan for the remainder of the campaign in January and he did not fare quite as well, scoring just twice in 20 matches and failing to add any more assists.

But, at 22, Campbell is not the finished article just yet and supporters may be excited to see what he can do across a full, uninterrupted season. He still managed to finish the season with seven goals under his belt overall and will be expected to kick on further in 25/26 if Reading can get a third deal over the line for his services.

On a free transfer, the Royals really cannot go too wrong and Campbell's age, potential and existing body of work in RG2 all mean he could be well worth the punt.