RUMOUR: Reading Keen On Welsh Left-Back

After drawing 2-2 with Cardiff City last night, it seems that Reading may be interested in signing one of the Bluebirds’ players in the next transfer window if reports are to believed.

The relatively reliable Football Insider are claiming that Jaap Stam is keen to bring in the services of Declan John in January, with the left-back currently impressing on loan at Rangers in the Scottish Premiership. So far he has two goals and two assists in ten league games with the Gers sitting second in the table under interim manager and former Royal Graeme Murty.

John, capped twice for Wales, came through the ranks at Cardiff and made his league debut in the club’s first ever Premier League game in August 2013. Since then he has made a total of 52 appearances for the Welsh side and spent time on loan at Barnsley and Chesterfield in League One before joining Rangers on deadline day in the summer. Whilst the loan at Ibrox was agreed to last the full campaign, the report suggests that Cardiff could be keen to cash in on the 22-year-old next month as his contract runs out in June. Rangers are said to be interested in this possibility along with Leeds United.

With Jordan Obita ruled out for the season through injury, it is true that Reading may need a temporary solution in the left-back position, as Chris Gunter has been covering in the role for the last few weeks. However if John were to arrive in RG2, it would not bode well for the fortunes of academy graduate Omar Richards, who likely would have thought his big break had arrived after an impressive first league start at Derby was rewarded with a new contract last month. Yet come next summer, when Obita returns to fitness, the 19-year-old could well find himself third in the pecking order and back at square one.