Reading FC On Verge Of Signing Former Real Betis Midfielder?

Are The Royals on the verge of a third signing during this January transfer window? Maybe.

There are a number of puzzle pieces that need fitting together but if a couple of tweets are anything to go by, Brian McDermott could be about to sign former Real Betis midfielder Javier Matilla.

Javier Matilla was in the madjeski Hotel gym this morning #readingfc pic.twitter.com/Kvrp1PFkZA

— Andy Bull (@andrewjamesbull) January 24, 2016

This does look like him - Just as well as #readingfc clearly don't already have enough central midfielders. https://t.co/sc1lMs1VxT

— Charles Watts (@charles_watts) January 24, 2016

Matilla, a 28-year-old midfielder who has been without a club since Betis released him on January 15, has played 51 times in the Spanish First Division (otherwise known as La Liga), and spent time on loan at second division side Real Murcia back in the 2013/14 season.

The rumour has been doing the rounds for a few days now, but the move itself doesn't make much sense considering George Evans has recently signed from Manchester City, Aaron Tshibola is making his return from injury and the club already has Oliver Norwood, Danny Williams, Stephen Quinn and on-loan Alex Fernandez as viable options in the centre of the park.

In any case, it certainly looks like Matilla — but is this move spelling the end of one of the club's current first team midfielders, or are The Royals simply jumping at the chance to sign the Spaniard on a free? Let's be honest, nobody really knows. Yet.