Reading Set To Miss Out On Zardes?

Reading's January transfer business could potentially have been dealt a major blow. Gyazi Zardes, a striker playing for LA Galaxy, had been linked with Reading both last summer and later in 2015. However, according to his current club, he's unlikely to be going anywhere in January. According to Galaxy's Head Coach Bruce Arena (no really, that's his name), the west coast club "fully anticipate having Gyasi back with the Galaxy" for the 2016 season (MLS campaigns fitting into calendar years).

Zardes might even be set for a new contract. Goal USA recently reported that Reading had recently been interesting in the striker, but the sacking of Steve Clarke had cast doubts over the Royals' transfer strategy in the January window.

However, Reading might still be in with a chance of completing a deal. As the article from Goal USA notes, MLS sides need to operate within a salary cap, and that could be a complication for Bruce Arena. If the Galaxy's manager wants to keep his best players at the club (such as through signing them to a new contract), funds will probably have to be released somewhere else. That's where Reading come in - Galaxy may be loath to lose one of their best players, but a big bid for Zardes would surely be tempting.

It's no surprise that Zardes' current employers want to retain his services. In 2014, the player notched 19 goals in 44 appearances, following that up in 2015 with a strike rate of 7 in 21. With the Royals currently struggling to score, a move for Zardes in January would make a lot of sense.