Reading FC face big decisions with the 14 players set to leave the SCL next year | OneFootball

Many first-teamers are set to depart the Select Car Leasing Stadium next summer as things stand - and we have judged which Royals should be retained.

League One side Reading need to get their ownership situation sorted for a number of reasons.

Not only do the Royals need a takeover to ensure they are more active in the transfer market and to protect the future of their club but they also need a solution to their ownership situation to be able to confidently hand contracts to their players.

It would be difficult to see many players putting pen to paper on extensions at the Select Car Leasing Stadium if current owners Dai Yongge and Dai Xiu Li aren't replaced, so a sale is much needed in Berkshire.

Not only will new owners be able to offer players a better contract, but the new custodians should also be able to provide stability, which could persuade some first-teamers to put pen to paper on new deals with the Royals.

Below, we take a look at the players who are out of contract in 2025 and discuss whether they should be handed new deals or not.

This list excludes some of the Berkshire side's academy players and Jokull Andresson, who is yet to make his first-team debut.

Joel Pereira - Retain

When Joel Pereira was injured earlier in the season, David Button had to come in and although the latter did a good job at times, the former was clearly missed.

Pereira has established himself as one of the most able goalkeepers in the division and the Berkshire side shouldn't hesitate to offer him a new contract.

It would be a major blow if they lost him at the end of the season.

David Button - Release

Although some people would argue this, David Button is a decent backup keeper to have at this level, with the experience he has.

However, he has made a number of mistakes during his time between the sticks and it may not be a bad idea to offload him at the end of his deal.

A one-year extension probably hasn't been earned at this point and unless he can put in some match-winning performances between now and the end of this term, he should be released.

Dean Bouzanis - Release

Dean Bouzanis, who is currently on loan at Stevenage, has struggled for game time during his stay at the SCL Stadium and it wouldn't make sense to offer him a new deal.

He hasn't been able to impress and even if Button leaves, Australian Bouzanis should follow him out of the exit door.

Coniah Boyce-Clarke - Release

Coniah Boyce-Clarke may still have plenty of time to grow into a better shot-stopper, but he hasn't impressed during his time in the first team.

He had a golden opportunity to prove his worth in the league against Leyton Orient earlier this season, but his mistake led to the O's winner.

Releasing him at the end of the season is probably the best option, despite how highly rated he was earlier in his career.

Jeriel Dorsett - Retain

It's clear to see that left-back isn't Jeriel Dorsett's best position and he hasn't always been able to put in the best performances in Berkshire.

However, he has done a fairly solid job and is a good centre-back option to have as well.

If he can stay fit for a decent chunk of the season and perform fairly well, he should be rewarded with a new deal, even if he isn't guaranteed to be a regular starter next season.

Andy Yiadom - Release

Captain Andy Yiadom hasn't featured this season due to an injury - and you feel his time in Berkshire may be coming to an end.

That's a shame, because he can be a real asset in both the defensive and attacking thirds on his day.

However, next summer may be the best time for the club and the player to part ways if he doesn't manage to get back in action and play well.

A fresh start for Yiadom may not be a bad outcome for him.

Tyler Bindon - Retain

Tyler Bindon has been an amazing asset for the Royals since his arrival last year, managing to become an important first-teamer and establish himself as one of the most talented teenagers in the division.

Showing maturity beyond his years, the New Zealand international should be one of the first in line for a new contract.

Losing him for nothing would be a major blow, so he needs to be made a decent contract offer before the end of his existing deal.

Amadou Mbengue signed a two-year contract back in 2023 and this was good news for fans who were impressed by what they saw during the 2022/23 campaign.

His partnership with Bindon last season helped to keep the Berkshire side afloat in the third tier of English football - and he has also endured some good moments this term.

Playing a big part in the Royals' goal against Stockport County on Tuesday, he is proving to be an asset at both ends of the pitch and should be offered fresh terms.

Harlee Dean - Release

Clearly, Harlee Dean's time with the Royals hasn't worked out and he was heavily criticised last season.

This term, he has been able to put in some decent performances late on in games, and has clearly been a good influence on the pitch.

At this stage, they should probably release him next summer, but the Royals should keep an eye on his performances.

Michael Craig - Retain

Michael Craig has mainly played as a right-back this season - and has done a fairly decent job in that area.

He could still work on blocking some crosses, but he has done a respectable job, considering he's usually a defensive midfielder.

This is the position he could shine in during the upcoming years, so he's someone who should definitely be kept.

Still young, he has plenty of potential and is likely to develop into an even better asset in the future.

Tivonge Rushesha - Retain

Head coach Ruben Selles hasn't given Tivonge Rushesha that much of an opportunity to thrive and that's a shame, because the ex-Swansea City man has shone whenever he's been given a first-team chance.

At this stage, it seems logical for the Royals to keep him for another year, because he's still young and could develop into an extremely valuable first-team player in Berkshire.

But if he wants to develop, he needs to force his way into Selles' plans and he could do this in cup competitions this season.

Shay Spencer - Retain

Shay Spencer put pen to paper on a deal earlier this year to extend his stay until the summer of 2025 - and Selles has already seen him shine in the senior team.

The central midfielder has shown that he can operate as a defensive midfielder and also play a part higher up as a tough tackler and someone who can press well.

Offering him a new deal has to be a top priority, because their loss would be someone else's gain if he departed.

Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan - Retain

Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan has established himself as an important first-teamer since the start of the 2023/24 campaign.

He hasn't always impressed, but the attacker has transformed himself from a striker to a wide forward effectively and is doing very well out on the left-hand side.

Clearly, he still needs time to develop into a better player, but he is already proving to be a threat in the final third and should be kept at all costs.

Jayden Wareham - Retain

Jayden Wareham has been doubted by some fans, but he popped up with an early goal against Exeter City and if he can continue scoring for the first team, he's definitely a player who should be kept.

Sam Smith doesn't have much competition for a starting spot at this stage and if Wareham, who is a great finisher, can continue developing, he could become a vital first-teamer at the SCL Stadium.

Offering him a new deal should be under consideration.