Five Transfer Targets Paul Clement Should Look At This Summer

Marc McNulty

The Coventry man has been a major threat this season with 28 goals in all competitions, and I think he would add a something different to any of our current strikers. Since Adam Le Fondre left we have missed a striker with the ability to get in behind and stretch the game. In my opinion, McNulty would add a different aspect to the team, after a season where we’ve only had one idea and no Plan B.

He would also be useful to play with two up top with one of Yann Kermorgant or Jon Dadi Bodvarsson playing more as the target man. Last season, whichever striker we had on the pitch was trying to do two jobs at once which, despite some of their best efforts, they were rarely capable to do so. This left us with little attacking threat and McNulty would change that with his runs in behind the defence.

Read more: @PannasNutmegs explains why the lack of a runner in-behind was such a tactical failing for Reading last season

Harry Wilson

The Liverpool winger impressed whilst on loan at Hull City and was a standout player in an otherwise below-par team. I feel like he would really improve our options on the wing, possibly giving Sone Aluko some competition after his poor season.

We would face tough competition for him due to interest from Rangers, as well as teams from the top two tiers in England. However, his pace on the wing, along with his finishing ability, would improve Reading’s side immensely and would be a real asset.

Photo by Ashley Allen/Getty Images

Paddy McNair

The Sunderland side that visited the Madejski Stadium in April were pretty poor, as were Reading, but one player that stood out for me was Paddy McNair, who scored a terrific long-range goal that day. The defensive midfielder has been plagued with injuries over the last few years, but whenever I have watched him he has put in a good performance.

At only 23 years old he could turn out to be quality bit of business from Reading, as long as he stays fit. He won’t be too expensive either after Sunderland’s relegation and if this deal did take place, he could shore up Reading’s midfield for next season.

James Morrison

He has been in the first-team picture at West Brom for years and has always seemed to perform consistently well. The 32 year-old hasn’t been offered a new deal at relegated Albion and would be a great piece of business if we could get him in on a free as I think he would offer us something different to our current wide options.

I’m sure we won’t be the only ones after him this summer, but if we could get in and sign him, he would add some quality and experience to our squad.

Ben Hamer

This is a bit of an odd one, but at 31 he could provide a decent back-up option to Vito Mannone. I know Anssi Jaakkola is staying next season, but I would much rather have Hamer as back-up than Jaakkola. Especially as Hamer is out of contract this summer, he would add some quality to our bench and means we don’t have to worry if Vito gets injured. This may seem a bit harsh on Anssi, but he’s been shaky and not really proven why we signed him.