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Reading Linked With Senegalese Defender And Teenage Winger

We've got not one, but two transfer rumours for you...

Leicester City v Watford - Premier League Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images

If you've been caught up in all the excitement in the lead up to Monday's Championship play-off final, you may have missed rumours on two potential summer signings for Reading.

Modou Diagne

Firstly, French outlet L'Equipe named the Royals as one of six teams to be interested in AS Nancy defender Modou Diagne. Despite only extending his contract in north east France back in September, the 23-year-old could allegedly look for a move away following his side's relegation from Ligue 1.

Diagne earned high praise in 2015/16 when he helped Nancy win promotion to the top flight, with claims he was alerting clubs including St Etienne and Marseille. In 2016/17, despite Nancy going down, the 6ft 3in Senegalese national still contributed to his side having the 12th best defence in the division - it was their problems with goalscoring that saw them struggle.

It is thought that he is too good to play in Ligue 2, and his potential list of suitors reportedly also includes Stoke City, Middlesbrough, Bordeaux, Montpellier and an unnamed German team. Based on that, one might suggest that Reading would have to be in the Premier League in order to have a chance of signing Diagne, who is described as "very fast". Nancy president Jacques Rousselot has fixed a €4m (£3.5 million) price tag on him.

Dion Pereira

Closer to home, the Evening Standard have reported that Jaap Stam will also look to bring in winger Dion Pereira from Watford. The 18-year-old made his debut for the Hornets' first team earlier this month, coming on as substitute in Premier League games against Leicester and Manchester City.

Having played for Watford from under-9 level upwards, Pereira was named the club’s young player of the year earlier this week and has been offered a professional deal by the Hertfordshire outfit, who are currently managerless. Yet he is reportedly weighing up his options amidst alleged interest not only from Reading, but from West Ham, Newcastle and Brighton as well.

Watford would be entitled to compensation were Pereira to leave but that would be decided at a later date by a tribunal. It is thought that this fee would be small though.