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If rumours are to be believed, Brian McDermott and co are keen to replace Nick Blackman this month. Recently linked with Peterborough goalscorer Conor Washington, they're now linked with two more young players banging in the goals this season.
Firstly, The Times this morning have linked Rangers forward Martyn Waghorn with the Biscuitmen. Currently scoring for fun in the Scottish second tier with The Gers. The 25-year-old is the leading goalscorer in British football this season with 25 goals, with his exploits leading his side's charge to return to the Scottish Premiership.
This two-sentence rumour in The Times is slightly offset by the fact the rumour below it links the transfer-embargoed Fulham FC with Bruno Manga of Cardiff City…
But you've also got to take into account Waghorn only joined Rangers from Wigan Athletic in the summer and the fact the club are desperate to return to the top tier and resume their rivalry with Celtic, you'd have to file this rumour under 'unlikely'.
GetReading have also linked Reading FC with potential FA Cup opponent Walsall's in-form striker Tom Bradshaw. The 23-year-old has scored 12 goals for the League One side so far this season and seems like the archetypal 'Reading' transfer: young, unproven, hungry and fairly cheap.
Reading FC reporter Charles Watts said of this rumour:
Reading do like Bradshaw, he is a player they have watched several times over the past year. They were in the stands again on Saturday watching him in action against Brentford in the FA Cup.
He would be a cheaper option than Washington and could possibly be picked up for less than £1 million. A price which would be much more appealing to those at Madejski Stadium.
A more likely rumour but again this one sounds very similar to the Eoin Doyle and Nakhi Wells rumours of recent years — and we all know how they turned out. (Hint: they didn't sign for us.)
In any case, it sounds encouraging that the club are looking to reinvest the money in a player who is scoring goals elsewhere. Of course it could all be lies and we've taken the bait… Only time will tell.