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In the summer, we ran a transfer window rumour tracker so that you could, well, keep track of all the transfer rumours that were doing the rounds. It’s safe to say that some of those reports turned out to be more accurate than others.
We’ve brought the feature back for what looks like being a fairly busy January transfer window - I’ll probably have egg on my face on that front come February 1. Below, we’ll keep a list of all the reported comings and goings for Reading, including the original source.
Vito Mannone to Minnesota United
Loan
football.london, February 6
The transfer window may be closed in England, but across the pond clubs are still busy adding to their squads ahead of the new MLS season. Minnesota United, who finished 10th in the Western Conference last year, could be set to do just that and offer Vito Mannone an exit route from Reading.
The Italian goalkeeper has not featured for the Royals since September 1st, and was reportedly placed on the transfer by new boss Jose Gomes. With Emiliano Martinez arriving on loan, his chances of making the team were made even slimmer, and he could now be set to head Stateside on loan until the end of 2019.
David Meyler to Coventry City (DONE DEAL)
Loan
Pete O’Rourke, January 31
Having not featured for Reading since September 1st, David Meyler was always likely to depart the Royals this month, and it seems as though he has finally found a new club - Coventry City, who currently sit 11th in League One.
You wonder whether Marc McNulty has put a good word in...
Breakfast with @sparkymcnulty pic.twitter.com/AhuLdYEtws
— DM (@DavidMeyler) January 31, 2019
Yakou Meite staying put
Loan/transfer
Le 10 Sport, January 31
Gomes admits Barrow, Bacuna and Meite could all leave
Transfer
Press Conference, January 31
In today’s chat with the press, Reading boss Jose Gomes has confirmed that more departures are likely to take place, namely Leandro Bacuna, Yakou Meite and Mo Barrow. However, Tyler Blackett’s potential departure has been ruled out.
Catch up with the full quotes, and the manager’s word on making the recent loan signings permanent, here.
Taarabt says no
Transfer
Record, January 31
A final verdict on Adel Taarabt’s potential move to the Royals from Portuguese outlet Record, who first reported on Jose Gomes’ supposed interest. The midfielder has rejected the chance to move from Benfica, where he’s sitting in the reserves.
As such, the Lisbon club were willing to allow him to leave on a free, saving them around €3m in wages, but hanging around on that sort of money without playing is apparently an acceptable outcome for the attacking midfielder.
Meite and Bacuna already off? (DONE DEAL - SORT OF)
Transfer
football.london, January 31
A genuine surprise reported here in Leandro Bacuna and Yakou Meite apparently already agreeing to leave the club. Bacuna is said to have had a medical at Cardiff on Wednesday with Meite signing on the dotted line for French outfit Amiens.
Liam Kelly to PEC Zwolle
Loan
football.london January 31
The publication formerly known as GetReading reckon Liam Kelly is on the radar of PEC Zwolle, the Dutch team now managed by Jaap Stam. Reading seem open to letting the midfielder leave on deadline day but whether he’ll take the jump to a foreign league remains to be seen.
Stam was a big fan of Kelly in his time here, bringing him through from minor academy hopeful to first-team regular, but he faces competition from Udinese to bag his loan arrival.
Marc McNulty to Hibernian (DONE DEAL)
Loan
The Scotsman, January 31
Reports north of the border name Hibernian as the leading club in the pursuit of Marc McNulty. With only one goal in 412 minutes of action for the Royals since his summer move, the striker is highly likely to leave on deadline day and The Scotsman newspaper expects him to complete an 18-month loan switch to Edinburgh.
Sunderland, Wigan, Coventry City and Luton have also been named as keen on the forward.
Mo Barrow is/isn’t leaving (depending on who you ask)
Unknown
Reading Chronicle/football.london, January 31
A rare battle of the local outlets as football.london’s (aka GetReading’s) report that Hull and Bursapsor want the Reading winger, whereas the Chronicle reckon that Jose Gomes will refuse to let him leave.
It’s being reported by the former that the Royals won’t entertain the possibility of Barrow leaving on loan, with it unclear exactly how Nigel Adkins’ Hull side would approach a deal.
Mo Barrow to Bursaspor
Loan to buy deal (€2 million)
football.london, January 29
Mo Barrow didn’t appear to be on the list of names likely to leave Reading this month, but the Gambian has been linked with a move to Turkish side Bursaspor, who have been tracking him for the last two windows according to football.london.
They reportedly want to secure a loan deal for the Gambian winger, with an option to buy him in the summer for €2 million in the summer. However, Reading are keen to get more money for him as well as a loan fee if they do let him go.
Adel Taarabt to Reading from Benfica B
Free
Record, January 29
Just when you thought Reading’s transfer dealings were done for the month, a random rumour like this one comes out of the blue. It’s a pretty vague one, but Portuguese outlet Record claim that there is a ‘strong possibility’ that former QPR man Adel Taarabt could move to Berkshire.
The 29-year-old is currently contracted to Benfica B, but has not played at all this season after spending the previous two campaigns on loan at Genoa. Record suggest that he would be allowed to leave Portugal for free.
Tyler Blackett to Nottingham Forest
£500,000
Football Insider, January 29
The Tyler Blackett exit rumours had gone a little cold after the defender was linked to Wigan Athletic earlier in the month, but they’ve been reignited in the last few days of the window as Nottingham Forest appear interested in signing him.
It seems it may even be Wigan’s pursuit of another defender that has seen Forest’s interest grow, with Danny Fox, who was sent off at the Mad Stad earlier this month, on the verge of a move to the DW Stadium. New Forest manager Martin O’Neill sees Blackett as a suitable replacement and has reportedly made a £500,000 bid.
Marc McNulty to Hibernian (DONE DEAL)
Unknown
Edinburgh Evening News, January 29
Despite only being signed from Coventry in the summer, Marc McNulty appears to be on his way out of Reading this month, having failed to establish himself in the Royals’ first team. The striker has only made four league starts all season, and hasn’t featured in a matchday squad at all since Jose Gomes became manager.
Hibernian, currently seventh in the Scottish Premiership, is his rumoured destination, with reports in Scotland suggesting that a first bid has already been rejected. McNulty actually spent three years in Hibs’ academy as a teenager before being released - a decision that made him believe that he “wasn’t going to make it in football”.
Liam Kelly to Udinese
Loan
Sky Sports, January 29
Udinese has emerged as a possible destination for Liam Kelly. Sky Sports reckon the 23-year-old has admirers inside the club from the north-east of Italy and this follows on from the previous day’s reports of Reading being happy to loan him out.
Udinese are a team known for their wide scouting network and preference to sign young, unheard-of players but this would still be a bolt from the blue.
Liam Kelly to leave on loan
Loan
football.london, January 28
Having brought in two midfielders this month, Jose Gomes now reportedly wants to get rid of one, by sending Liam Kelly out on loan. The 23-year-old is yet to make an appearance in the Championship under the new manager, and has now “been deemed surplus to requirements”.
Academy graduate Kelly’s only previous spell away from Berkshire came with Bath City in the National League South in 2016, before he was thrown into first team action under Jaap Stam, making an instant impact. However his performances have been underwhelming of late, and a temporary move away may be best for his career.
Emiliano Martinez to Reading from Arsenal (DONE DEAL)
Loan
Daily Mail, January 22
A goalkeeper seems to clearly be on Jose Gomes’ wish list, with rumours of Manchester United’s Joel Pereira now being followed by Emiliano Martinez of Arsenal being linked with a loan move. The Daily Mail claim that the 26-year-old has asked to leave the Emirates on a short term deal, and that Reading are now the favourites to sign him after Leeds ended their interest by buying Kiko Casilla from Real Madrid instead.
An Argentina native, Martinez has been at Arsenal since 2010, but has only made 14 senior appearances for the club - including in the Gunners’ 7-5 League Cup win over Reading in 2012. He has previously spent time on loan at Oxford United, Sheffield Wednesday, Rotherham United, Wolves and Getafe.
Nelson Oliveira to Reading from Norwich City (DONE DEAL)
Unknown
The Mirror, January 18
For God's sake, not this one again.
Reading are reportedly in talks with Norwich over a deal for Nelson Oliveira, who we seem to be linked with every transfer window nowadays. The article notes that the striker hasn't played this season, so could be allowed to leave the club - who are doing very well in his absence.
After the defeat to Derby, Jose Gomes told reporters of the rumour: “Nelson Oliveira is a good striker. I don’t know if he will be our player or not, I cannot say.”
“Like I have said before, it’s difficult to answer this kind of question because I don’t want to talk about players who are not ours.
“I know this player very well. In Portugal at one time everybody thought he could be our first striker in the national team. But this season he’s not playing, that’s all I know about the player.”
Marc McNulty to Sunderland
Unknown
The Mirror, January 14
The Black Cats need firepower, and they're reportedly interested in getting that from Marc McNulty. A move for Will Grigg is the priority, but a move for out-of-favour McNulty is the alternative.
Ruben Semedo to Reading from Villarreal
Unknown
O Jogo, January 10
Jose Gomes’ arrival in Berkshire always meant that an influx of Portuguese transfer rumours would follow, and 24-year-old centre-back centre-back Ruben Semedo is one of those. Once of Sporting Lisbon, Semedo is currently at Villarreal but set to be let go by the Spanish club after a failed loan move at SD Huesca.
There’s one slight problem. Semedo has had his passport seized, preventing him from being able to currently leave Spain. Why? The centre-back is still awaiting trial after allegations that he assaulted and tied up a man, keeping him captive in his house before burgling his home. He has also previously spent time in prison and been accused of threatening the public with a pistol.
Sounds like a nice guy.
Joel Pereira to Reading from Manchester United
Loan
Daily Mail, January 10
Linked by Portuguese media at the end of December, Manchester United’s Joel Pereira has had his loan cut short at Vitoria Setubal this week, with Reading now the favourites to sign him until the end of the season.
When asked about the rumour in his press conference on Thursday, Jose Gomes said: “Rumours are normal in this period. It’s like losing time if we start talking about rumours. When we have the things in our hands we can talk about them. All the other things - we don’t have to think or put our focus on them.”
Lewis Baker to Reading from Chelsea (DONE DEAL)
Loan
Daily Mail, January 8
Having already signed one midfielder on loan from a Premier League club, Reading are reportedly after another in the form of Lewis Baker of Chelsea. The Blues are set to recall the 23-year-old from Leeds, where he has failed to impress this season, and send him to Berkshire.
The Royals were also interested in Baker in the summer of 2017, when he’d just spent two season on loan at Vitesse Arnhem and scored 20 goals in 73 games, making him a very highly rated prospect. Since then though, he has struggled in the Championship with both Middlesbrough and Leeds, netting only twice in 28 appearances.
Reading turn down Wigan bid for Tyler Blackett
£450,000
Daily Mail, January 8
The Mail claim that the Royals have rejected just shy of half a million for defender Tyler Blackett from fellow Championship side Wigan Athletic. The report says the Latics want the former Manchester United man as a replacement for Dan Burn, and have money to burn (sorry) after investment from their new Chinese owners.
It’s not the first rumour of Tyler’s exit from the Madejski Stadium (Blexit, anyone?), so this could have legs.
Dave Edwards departure almost complete? (DONE DEAL)
Free transfer
Shropshire Star, January 7
The rumour itself is nothing new, with there being plenty of speculation in recent weeks that Edwards would be headed back to Shrewsbury Town, but the Shropshire Star claim the move is now imminent. They claim:
“The Shropshire Star understands negotiations to cancel the former Wales international’s contract at the Madejski Stadium are on the verge of being completed. That would pave the way for Edwards to rejoin the club he supports, 12 years after he left for Luton Town.”
Departures list confirmed?
Unknown
Reading Chronicle, January 7
The Chronicle claim to know the five players that Jose Gomes wants to leave the club this month: Vito Mannone, David Meyler, Dave Edwards, Paul McShane and Marc McNulty. Those players have reportedly been separated from the rest of the squad with the intention of getting them out of the club as soon as possible.
The names aren’t that surprising, with none of the five featuring regularly this season. In fact, they’re all well down the pecking order in their respective positions, so probably aren’t needed as options on the bench. The contracts of McShane and Edwards are up this summer.
Ovie Ejaria to Reading from Liverpool (DONE DEAL)
Loan
The Sun, Liverpool Echo, numerous others, January 7
Back at Liverpool after a so-so spell at Steven Gerrard’s Rangers™, it looks like young attacking midfielder Ovie Ejaria will be joining The Royals squad for the remainder of the season.
An U20 World Cup champion in 2017, Ejaria featured on 28 occasions for the Gers in the first half of the season, scoring twice and assisting a single goal in over 2,000 minutes on the pitch.
This wouldn’t be Ejaria’s first spell at a relegation-threatened club, having spent time on loan at the doomed Sunderland last season.
Tiago Ilori to Sporting Lisbon (DONE DEAL)
€3 million
Jose Gomes (Speaking to Record), January 5
Reading’s manager has, speaking to Portuguese outlet Record, admitted interest in defender Tiago Ilori. Sporting Lisbon are reportedly tracking the 25 year-old, and Ilori himself wants an opportunity at a higher level. However, Gomes stressed that Ilori won’t leave without a replacement coming in. The Royals are said to value him at €3 million, with a bid from Sporting already being rejected.
Ayub Timbe to Reading from Beijing Renhe
Unknown
Ayub Timbe (Speaking to People Sport), January 4
It’s not often that a rumour comes from the player - not a media outlet. In this case though, Kenyan winger Ayub Timbe has himself claimed he’s likely to join Reading, either in this transfer window or the next.
“Yes it is true that Reading wants to sign me in this (January) transfer window but there have been hitches concerning my current contract. This might force the deal to the next window.”
Bonus marks if you noticed that his current club, Beijing Renhe, is linked to Reading. In fact, they’re also owned by our very own Dai Yongge, which could make a deal much likelier to happen.
Ben House to Swindon Town (DONE DEAL)
Loan
BBC Wiltshire Sport, January 3
After scoring seven goals in 10 games for Reading’s Under-23s in the Premier League 2, Ben House could be about to get his first taste of senior football by signing for Swindon Town, currently 14th in League Two, on loan until the end of the season.
Described as a “battering ram” by Paul Clement, the 19-year-old was unlikely to break into the Royals’ first team this season, but he appears to have a promising future so a temporary move away should do him good.
Donervon Daniels to Reading from Blackpool
Unknown
HITC, January 3
With Tyler Blackett rumoured to be leaving Reading, Blackpool’s Donervon Daniels is reportedly being lined up as his replacement. Rotherham are also interested in the 25-year-old, who may be available on the cheap as he has just six months left on his contract at Bloomfield Road.
Able to play at either centre-back or right-back, Daniels only joined Blackpool from Wigan back in the summer, but he has impressed for the League One club, making 17 appearances in all competitions.
Pelle Clement “definitely an option” for PEC Zwolle (DONE DEAL)
Unknown
Patrick Leemans, January 2
The Dutch midfielder was linked with an exit last summer, and those rumours have resurfaced in January. Clement is widely expected to be surplus to requirements, having barely played for the first team this season, and a return to the Netherlands beckons.
Patrick Leemans, a football writer for Dutch outlet RTL Sport, says a “solution is [being] sought” by PEC Zwolle (currently managed by Jaap Stam), and that a deal is “definitely an option”. On the whole, the transfer would on paper make sense for a player that’s very much been out of favour in Berkshire. Linking up with a gaffer that rates him is perhaps Clement’s logical next step.
Dave Edwards allowed to leave by Gomes
Loan
Daily Mail, January 2
On a day when Jose Gomes has reportedly been telling the squad who he wants to leave, the Daily Mail claim Dave Edwards could be headed for the exit door.
They claim Gomes has told Edwards he can go out on loan in January, saying:
"Reading are prepared to continue paying some of Edwards’ wages in a loan but have yet to reach agreement with Shrewsbury Town who have registered an interest in the player."
This would fall in line with what's been reported before elsewhere.
Dave Edwards to Shrewsbury Town
Unknown/Loan
Shropshire Star, December 31
Having not featured at all so far for Reading this season, it was always likely that Dave Edwards would depart the club in January and it always likely that Shrewsbury Town would be interested. The 32-year-old was a boyhood Salop fan, came through their academy and has made no secret of his desire to return to New Meadow at some point.
The Reading Chronicle have suggested that the Royals could either loan Edwards out or cancel his contract to allow Shrewsbury to sign him permanently. The Shropshire club, 16th in League One at the time of writing, are managed by Edwards’ former Wolves and Wales team-mate Sam Ricketts.
Tyler Blackett to Wigan Athletic
£400,000
Daily Mail, December 31
There was already a general report from HITC earlier in December that the Latics were preparing a move for Blackett. However, the Mail ran a firmer story on New Year’s Eve, claiming that the north-west side were ready to table a bid of just shy of half a million pounds.
At first glance it feels like agent talk. Blackett has done fairly well this season, and his contract is due to be up in 2020, so it could be that the player’s agent is angling for a renewal. The brief (but non-specific) name-drops of Stoke City and Middlesbrough back that up.
Joel Pereira to Reading from Manchester United
Unknown
A Bola, December 28
Well-respected Portuguese outlet A Bola, who reported heavily on Reading’s Iberian-based managerial search, claimed the Royals were looking to sign Manchester United ‘keeper Joel Pereira. The 22 year-old had been on loan at Vitoria Setubal, but was brought back soon after Jose Mourinho was sacked by the Red Devils.
Reading could use a quality addition in goal, but whether or not they’ll go for Pereira is unknown. Although A Bola are usually quite reliable, they give minimal information about our interest in Pereira, not even mentioning if a possible move would be a loan or permanent transfer.