Reading FC Rumoured XI: Summer 2017

Goalkeeper - Karl Darlow

With Ali Al-Habsi jetting off to Saudi Arabia in a shock move just as pre-season kicked off, the Royals needed a top class shot-stopper and were initially drawn to Newcastle United’s Darlow. Sadly, plucking a Premier League keeper from a team even more inept at bringing in a replacement than ourselves was a stretch too far.

Also linked: David Button, Elin Jakupovic, Manuel Neuer. Actually signed: Vito Mannone.

Defenders - Andy Yiadom, Rasmus Thelander, Frederico Venancio, Cyrus Christie

It seems that the Royals took off around Europe in search of a centre-back this summer, although the lack of arrivals has many of these links in tenuous territory. Full-backs Yiadom and Christie were thrown into the mixer with the former championed by a number of outlets, while our friends at Gazzetta.Gr and A Bola set us up with Thelander and Venancio, respectively. The latter of which ended up at Sheffield Wednesday, no less.

Also linked: Saidy Janko, Modou Diagne. Actually signed: Err...

Midfielders - Lewis Baker, Siem De Jong, Mubarak Wakaso, Ola John

The hilarity of the summer window can be found in the midfield, where Reading were linked with former flop Ola John by Daily Mirror before having the De Jong rumour killed off by the Dutchman’s return to Ajax before we’d even noticed it. Middlesbrough beat us to a loan for Chelsea man Baker whilst Wakaso ended up at LaLiga newboys Getafe. Also, spare a thought for the Chron who broke the ‘imminent’ signing of Mauro Marconato, only to have the agent deny such ‘rumours’ the same morning. D’oh!

Also linked: Mauro Marconato, Dion Pereira. Actually signed: Dave Edwards, Modou Barrow, Pelle Clement, Leandro Bacuna, Sone Aluko.

Strikers - Nelson Oliveira, Nahki Wells

Perennial Royals targets Wells was one of the big names thrown into the ring as Huddersfield looked to shed the Bermudan for some reason. Injury trouble and an excessive fee delayed that one and he may head to Burnley on deadline day. Another late mover may be Oliveria, but it won’t be to Reading, TTE club sources nipped that one in the bud long ago.

Also linked: Jordan Hugill, Paul Smyth. Actually signed: Jon Dadi Bodvarsson.

So who would win between that XI and our best actual team? Vote below.