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Leandro Bacuna, Yakou Meite and Mo Barrow’s futures were all cast into doubt by Jose Gomes on Thursday as the Reading FC manager confirmed the trio could be leaving in deadline day deals.
Reports of Bacuna leaving for Cardiff in a £3 million transfer grew rapidly on the morning of the 31st with Meite also set to sign for Amiens of Ligue 1. Meanwhile, Hull and Bursaspor have been linked to winger Barrow.
Speaking to reporters, Gomes provided an update on who could be leaving, touching on the futures of Vito Mannone, Tyler Blackett, David Meyler, and Marc McNulty also.
“Mannone, Meyler and McNulty have been working in a different way since I arrived. I don’t know if they will move today but I don’t count on them at the moment. It will be good for them to go.
“It is a possibility that Bacuna and Meite leave today, especially Bacuna. We have a lot of issues on the table but I cannot really talk much about that yet. I am happy to talk about all the decisions afterwards.
“Tyler Blackett will not leave us today. Maybe if one goes today we will receive a new player. Mo Barrow could leave. Anything can happen. It’s better not to talk about those things. All decisions we have taken are for the best for Reading. I am happy with those decisions.
“For some of the loan deals we have the option to buy them in the summer, if we can find the money.”
Linked to Serie A club Udinese and Jaap Stam’s new team PEC Zwolle, Liam Kelly could also be heading for a loan spell away from the club and Gomes admitted that the midfielder’s future was yet to be determined as the lunchtime press conference occurred.
“He’s working very well since I arrived. In the meantime two players in the same position have arrived. At his age it is important he plays, if he was my son I would tell him the same. If he stays no problem. I like the way he plays football.”
Reading host Aston Villa on Saturday and midweek goalscorer Nelson Oliveira is a doubt after coming off against Bolton with a muscle injury. On the subject of securing the striker’s services on a permanent basis in the summer, Gomes remarked that it was ‘possible’.
It was also confirmed that Sam Baldock has suffered a ‘significant’ thigh injury and will be missing for two months, whereas Jon Dadi Bodvarsson is taking time off while awaiting the birth of his first child and it is unclear whether he’ll be available to face Villa.
Elsewhere, Paul McShane is in full training along with Omar Richards and John O’Shea, while Iranian loanee Saeid Ezatolahi some way off a return from action.