"The most important thing" - Exclusive: Reading FC concern addressed amid West Brom transfer link | OneFootball

Jacobson has given his views on whether the Royals should look to sign Ajayi as he nears the end of his time at West Brom

Ex-Wycombe Wanderers defender turned EFL pundit Joe Jacobson believes that Reading will need to sort out their off-field situation at the club before they can start looking at potential incomings for the summer window, after out-of-contract West Brom defender Semi Ajayi was linked with a move to the Madejski Stadium.

Ajayi is currently the Baggies' second longest-serving player - he joined the club from Rotherham United in 2019 for a reported fee of £1.5 million after being one of the Millers' key men in the second and third-tiers.

The London-born Nigeria international transferred that form and status to his time in the West Midlands seamlessly, and helped Albion to win promotion to the Premier League in his first season at the club, but has become increasingly less influential at The Hawthorns over the last few years due to injuries and other players impressing in his absence.

His contract at the club is now up at the end of this season, and it looks as if he is set to depart for pastures new at 31-years-old. Reading are chasing a spot in the League One play-off places as the season edges closer to its conclusion, but will need to better Leyton Orient's result next week to secure a top-six finish.

Joe Jacobson offers verdict on 'very good' Semi Ajayi amid boardroom issues at Reading

Ajayi has played 174 times for West Brom in his five-and-a-half years at the club, but has failed to feature in more than 27 games in either of the last two seasons, and as it stands, his time at The Hawthorns does look to be petering out with his contract up in June.

The 31-year-old featured just twice under Tony Mowbray prior to his sacking last week, and injuries have clearly taken their toll over recent years.

However, it cannot be understated how good he once was and likely still can be in the Championship or League One, when fit.

According to news outlet Africafoot, Reading have made contact with his representatives over a potential move to the Madejski Stadium this summer.

They are not alone in their approaches, however, with relegation-threatened second-tier side Hull City also believed to have approached him about joining the Tigers.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, ex-Wycombe defender turned EFL pundit Joe Jacobson believes that Ajayi would be a solid signing for the Royals in the coming months, but he also thinks that the club need to sort out their off-field situation before any incomings are sanctioned, as owner Dai Yongge nears an exit with a possible takeover on the horizon.

“I did see the rumour with Reading and Semi Ajayi. I think for Reading, first and foremost, the biggest thing they want to get sorted is off the field," Jacobson told FLW.

“Once that’s sorted, then they can start looking at potential signings and stuff like that.

“I don’t think they will really be looking at anything like that, as yet, until maybe they know who is coming in or what is going on with the situation behind the scenes.

“You’ve got Ajayi, who has obviously been a very good player in the Championship for the last few years, so I’m sure there will be a lot of teams in the Championship and League One looking at him.

“Like I said, for Reading right now, I think the most important thing is to get the off-field problems sorted, get that over the line. Once they do that, then hopefully they can start building for next season.”

Reading need a new owner before transfers can be made - Ajayi would be a sensible signing regardless

Reading's turbulent time off the pitch over the last few years has been well-documented, but there finally looks to be light at the end of the tunnel after they recently released an official statement to confirm that the sale of the club is edging closer to completion, with the EFL granting them a further extension to complete it by May 5.

American businessman and lawyer Rob Couhig is believed to be the man closing in on becoming the new owner of the Royals, replacing Dai Yongge, but regardless of off-field issues, the club's full current focus should be on next week's crunch match against Barnsley on the final day of the regular campaign.

Noel Hunt's side can finish in the play-off places if they better Leyton Orient's result, who are away at Huddersfield Town. It would be a huge achievement if they made the top-six, and obviously even more so if they were able to return to the second-tier after two years away, given what has been going on in the background regarding their potential takeover.

In theory, Ajayi would be a really smart signing for the Royals to make this summer. It would be a free transfer, while his wages are not estimated to be on the higher side within the Baggies' current squad, and he is an impressive performer at Championship level, let alone League One, so would no doubt be a standout in the third-tier if Reading are unable to seal promotion this term.

Experience as a centre-back is vital, particularly in the second-tier, and Ajayi has that in abundance with nearly 200 appearances in the division throughout his career so far.

He possesses the traits that are needed in a centre-back in the EFL, in that he is a strong tackler, likes to play out from the back, and is a relatively consistent scorer for a defender.

Just last season, he ranked highly in metrics for goals per 90, progressive carries per 90 and long passes completed per 90, when compared to other second-tier centre-backs using FBref.

His international career is impressive for a player who has completed just one season in the top-flight too, with 39 Nigeria caps to his name, while he was the only Nigerian player to feature in every single minute of their seven matches at the 2023 African Cup of Nations as they went on to finish as runners-up.

With that said, it would no doubt be a coup for the Royals to secure his signature this summer if he does leave West Brom, which looks very likely to happen. They clearly have a lot to sort out both on and off the field between now and then, though, and will hope that everything works out in their favour for him to become a Reading player ahead of next season.