With Thames Sports Investment having agreed to buy 51% of Reading Football Club, and provide manager Brian McDermott with limited funds to buy players before the transfer deadline next Tuesday, The Tilehurst End looks at the players who could be plying their trade at the Madejski Stadium in February and beyond...
Karleigh Osborne - According to Sky Sports, Reading are close to wrapping up a deal for 23-year-old Osborne, who is out of contract at League One side Brentford in the summer. The centre-back would be available for around £300,000 and would provide cover and competition for Kaspars Gorkss and Alex Pearce. Sean Morrison moved to Huddersfield Town on loan earlier this week, whilst Bongani Khumalo is set to return to Tottenham Hotspur after his loan spell.
Tomasz Cywka - Judging by reports on a Polish football blog, Derby County's midfielder is set to join Reading before 31st January, possibly on a free transfer. He scored against the Royals in our 2-2 draw at the Madejski Stadium in October. Whether he'll join the competition for strikers or possibly challenge McAnuff and Kebe out wide remains to be seen.
Jason Roberts - another attacking player who could be joining Reading very soon is Roberts, 34 today. Currently at Blackburn, and previously of Wigan and West Brom, the striker could sign for Reading on loan until the end of the season.
Billy Sharp - according to the Daily Mail, yet another striker interesting the Royals is Billy Sharp. The 25-year-old attracted attention from Ipswich and Southampton in the summer, and rejected a move to Leicester last week, saying he would only move to the right club. McDermott et al certainly encourage a close-knit atmosphere so could be the team Sharp is waiting for to move to. He has a release clause in his contract - it's £1.85m or £3m, depending on which source you believe.
Liam Hearn - yep, you guessed it, he's a striker. The 26-year-old has notched 22 goals in 27 games for Conference side Grimsby Town this season, and has even been mooted as a replacement for £50m man Fernando Torres...
Jordan Rhodes - Striker. 21. 6'2. Goal machine. He's already scored over 30 goals this season for club and country, and is reportedly wanted by clubs including West Ham and Tottenham. But with the fee likely to be in excess of £5m, it might be that Reading are priced out of this one, despite the Zingarevich zillions.
Jacob Walcott - one player on the way out of the Madejski Stadium this January could be Walcott. Theo's cousin, 20, has joined Dutch side Utrecht on trial with a view to a permanent free transfer. With Walcott behind a good number of strikers, it seems like a good move for a player who may have reached the glass ceiling at Reading.
Jimmy Kébé - good news, everyone! The Malian magician has finally signed a new contract at Reading, keeping him at the Mad Stad until at least the summer of 2014. The terms are apparently the same as the contract offered before the Russian takeover, meaning Kébé must have been excited by the new direction the club is taking. Jimmy was reportedly garnering interest from West Ham and Leicester.