Reading FC Winger Paolo Hurtado Close To Exit?

The last 24 hours has seen a couple of worrying transfer rumours come into play. Yesterday, we brought you both the news that a fee might have been agreed to sell Aaron Tshibola, and that Tyler Blackett might be joining the club.

Today's news is less worrying, but still pretty noteworthy nonetheless. Recently, Portuguese site Record reported that Reading winger Paolo Hurtado (you'd forgotten he existed, didn't you?) was interesting Primeira Liga side Belenenses. The Lisbon-based side (one of the oldest sports team in Portugal, fun bit of trivia there for you) finished ninth in the league last season, and were apparently after Hurtado.

According to that same article, Guimarães (where Hurtado spent the end of 2015/16 on loan, having failed to impress Steve Clarke, Brian McDermott, or anyone else in Berkshire) are also potential suitors. And, having taken to English football like a duck to water a dark, smelly nightclub, Hurtado could be keen on a transfer.

However, just to complicate things, Belenenses have since reportedly denied any interest in Hurtado (poor Paolo). Nonetheless, this doesn't rule out interest from Guimarães.

I for one would prefer to see Hurtado return to Reading and fight for his place in the side. Sure, he hasn't made an impression on the first team so far (putting it lightly), but that's not to say he can't do so under new management.

Could this turn out to be the hottest transfer saga of the summer? Nope. But something tells me that we haven't heard the last 'Paolo Hurtado to club in Portugal none of us have heard of' rumour this summer. So, for more news on that when/if it happens, stay tuned to the Tilehurst End.