Bolton Wanderers & Reading FC receive Hull City transfer boost | OneFootball

Both clubs are said to be after one of the Humberside outfit's defenders.

Bolton Wanderers and Reading have received a boost in their hopes of signing Hull City defender Matty Jacob.

The pair of League One clubs are set to battle for the signature of the 24-year-old as they both try to reinforce their left-back options. Bolton's interest in the Hull player was first reported by the Bolton News.

Their options in Jacob's position are particularly slim, with 21-year-old Max Conway, who spent last season on loan at Crewe Alexandra, being Steven Schumacher's only current option in this area of the pitch.

Reading's desire to sign Jacob was later revealed by Hull Live. Under new ownership, the Royals' future prospects are now much brighter with former Wycombe Wanderers chairman Rob Couhig in charge.

The publication of their latest set of accounts led to the transfer embargo they had been under since 2021 being lifted, which is crucial to them securing Jacob's services as he has another two years left on his deal with the Tigers.

Clubs from Switzerland are also said to be keen on the full-back, as per the Hull Live newspaper (9th June edition; page 35).

Bolton and Reading receive Matty Jacob boost

Sergej Jakirovic's arrival as City's new head coach threw a potential spanner in Bolton and Reading's works.

A new boss may have taken a fresh look at Jacob, whose appearances were limited to just eight under Tim Walter and Ruben Selles last season, and see him as part of his plans. However, Jacob is available for a move this summer, according to Pete O'Rourke.

Multiple teams in the second and third tiers are interested in the Hull man, according to the journalist, and the Humberside club are said to be weighing up offers for him. O'Rourke added that City would be open to either a sale or a loan move for their academy product.

Matty Jacob loan option may work better for Bolton and Reading

Given his lack of experience in the EFL, the option of a temporary deal for Jacob may appeal more to Bolton and Reading, but particularly the latter because of the new owner's will to restore financial stability at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

The defender's only tenure away from the MKM Stadium was with non-league outfit Gateshead in the 2021/22 campaign. He's really struggled to get any form of meaningful minutes in Humberside since then, but that could work in the League One clubs' favour as Jacob may jump at the opportunity of regular football.

He wouldn't generate the same level of excitement that additions like Sam Dalby or Paudie O'Connor have for the respective fanbases of the Trotters and the Royals, but the left-back would still be a welcome addition to both sides who need players of his profile to join them this summer.