Reading FC Interested In Vitoria Setubal's Frederico Venancio

Reading are reportedly after Vitoria Setubal captain Frederico Venancio (you probably guessed that from the title). According to Abola the 24 year-old defender, whose contract in Portugal expires next summer, is interested in a move to England.

Indeed, Record.Pt claim Venancio turned down a move to Lokomotiv Moscow back in February, despite being offered a salary ten times the one he's currently on with Vitoria Setubal.

More recently, The Sun reported that the player had similarly declined a transfer to Greek side Olympiakos - again, because he'd prefer to play in the Championship or Premier League.

Venancio has played 131 times for Setubal, the city of his birth, since he came through the ranks there in the 2012/13 season. He's also turned out twice for Portugal's u21 side, one of those games a 3-1 defeat to England at Turf Moor.

Would he be any good for Reading?

The Royals could certainly use another centre half, with Jaap Stam occasionally being unable to play three at the back last season due to a lack of options. So, at least from a numbers perspective, the move makes sense.

Now, I don't know what Venancio's style of play is like, but it's a fair bet that if Reading have sent scouts to watch him and they're interested in him, he's good with the ball at his feet.

It's also worth mentioning how bad Reading's defence was at times in 2016/17, but bringing in the captain of a decent Portuguese side (Vitoria Setubal finished 12th in the top divison last season) would certainly help resolve that.

Will it happen?

As of yet, there's nothing concrete to say it will, but Abola do seem fairly certain that Reading are interested.

Throwing in some personal speculation, it does seem to fit with Reading's scouting/recruitment policy over the last few seasons, with Paolo Hurtado another player to have arrived from the same division.

That said, it could be a while before we know if this one has any legs.

Venancio's career stats come from Transfermarkt.