Reading Keen On Congolese Forward?

It’s not often that Reading make it into Belgian newspapers, but it appears this morning that they have, with La Capitale linking the Royals to Standard Liege Forward Jonathan Bolingi.

Of course we have no physical copy of the paper, but various sites around Europe have picked up on the story, claiming that the Congolese international will end his current loan with Royal Excel Mouscron and move to Berkshire, although it is not clear whether this would be another loan or a permanent move.

Voetbal Krant report that Bolingi, 23, expressed a desire to move to Anderlecht in this window, and as a result was dropped by Excel Mouscron boss Mircea Rednic. Unfortunately for poor old Jonathan, Anderlecht then denied their interest. Foot RDC add that Excel Mouscron are already lining up a new forward to replace Bolingi, whose move to Reading “is unlikely to succeed in these last hours of transfer window.”

What do we know about Bolingi?

Not an awful lot. He moved to Orlando Sa’s Standard Liege last summer following a loan spell with The Reds in the back end of 2016/17. However, he was sent straight out on loan to Royal Excel Mouscron, whom he has impressed for this campaign, scoring seven goals and getting two assists in 22 Jupiler Pro League games.

Prior to his switch to Belgium, Bolingi played for TP Mazembe in his homeland of the DR Congo. TP Mazembe are one of the most successful African teams of all time, and Bolingi won five trophies in his time at the club, including the African Champions League.

The 23-year-old has been capped 21 times for the DR Congo, scoring seven times and playing alongside the likes of Yannick Bolasie and Benik Afobe. He was part of his country’s squad that won the 2016 African Cup of Nations, and scored three times at the tournament - a tally bettered by only three other players.

Here’s his obligatory YouTube highlights reel: