Reading FC Rumour Tracker Summer 2018

It can be pretty hard keeping track of all the transfer rumours buzzing around during a summer transfer window, such is the sheer volume and randomness of the gossip that gets pumped out both in print and online.

To stay on top of it all, we’ve put together a rumour tracker below that we’ll update as and when new speculation comes out. We’ll still cover all the big rumours in standalone articles, particularly when it looks likely that Reading are about to sign/sell someone, but this piece lets us track everything else.

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Rumoured Arrivals

Saeid Ezatolahi (August 31)

Rostov / Midfielder / Loan / HITC / DONE DEAL

Once on the books of Atletico Madrid, Saeid Ezatolahi has been a Rostov player for the last three years, featuring sparingly and going out on loan twice. Reading could potentially make that thrice, with the Royals reportedly set to offer the 21-year-old, who featured two times for Iran at the World Cup, a temporary home, with a permanent move proposed for January. A loan deal was completed on August 31st.

Cameron Jerome (August 28)

Derby County / Striker / Loan / The Mirror

Having not featured for Frank Lampard’s Derby County™ so far this season, Cameron Jerome may look for a move away from Pride Park on loan, despite only joining the Rams from Norwich in January. The Mirror claim that Reading are one of five clubs - along with Ipswich, Blackburn, Hull, QPR - interested in the 32-year-old.

Tom Bradshaw (August 23)

Barnsley / Striker / Undisclosed / Sky Sports / JOINED MILLWALL

Bradshaw has reportedly been told he can leave recently relegated Barnsley after scoring 12 goals in 44 games last season. Reading have been linked with him for the last few transfer windows and are on the hunt for a striker this summer. The Yorkshire Post mentioned the Royals’ interest again two months after the original rumour, and also claimed that two unnamed Championship clubs have had bids rejected for Bradshaw. HITC reckoned Millwall were on the verge of signing him but, a week or so after that, Ipswich emerged as per Daily Mirror. The permanent transfer deadline came and went, but Millwall did end up securing the striker on a loan deal on August 23.

Nathan Dyer (August 17)

Swansea City / Winger / Loan / The Sun

With the loan window still open until the end of August, The Sun claim that Reading are keen to bring in Nathan Dyer for the season, who played under Paul Clement at Swansea. The Welsh club are allegedly happy to let the 30-year-old go in an attempt to slash their wage bill. Local media confirmed the rumour the following day, reporting that talks were ongoing between the Royals and Swans.

Kortney Hause (August 9)

Wolves / Centre-Back / Loan / Express & Star, @SportsPeteO

Paul Clement has spoken about potentially using the loan market this summer, and media in Midlands believe that Wolves centre-back Kortney Hause could be one player arriving at the Madejski Stadium on a temporary deal. The 23-year played just once in the Championship last season. A move edged closed on August 7 according to Football Insider.

On deadline day, it was claimed by Pete O’Rourke that Reading were on the verge of bringing Hause in.

Jay Fulton (August 9)

Swansea / Midfielder / Undisclosed / @ReluctantNicko, Reading Chronicle, @SportsPeteO

Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images

Paul Clement could look to his former club for a new midfielder before the window shuts, with 24-year-old Jay Fulton reportedly on Reading’s radar. The former Scottish Under-21 international started Swansea’s first game of the new campaign having been out on loan at Wigan last season.

A few days after the original rumour, Alan Nixon said that a fee was being negotiated between the Royals and Swans for Fulton, with the Reading Chronicle reporting the same. On deadline day, it was claimed by Pete O’Rourke that Reading were on the verge of bringing Fulton in.

Sheyi Ojo (August 5)

Liverpool / Winger / £15 million / The Telegraph

Having spent the last three seasons on loan in the Championship, Sheyi Ojo could now seek a permanent move to the division from Liverpool. Reading and Middlesbrough have reportedly made an enquiry about the 21-year-old, as have Bundesliga side Wolfsburg, but the Royals having £15 million to spend seems pretty unlikely. The Sun claim that Ojo’s price tag is more like £10 million, and also name Nottingham Forest as interested. Reading were again mentioned by Alan Nixon a few weeks later with West Brom also added to the list of potential suitors.

A Playmaker (August 2)

Somewhere / Midfield probably / Who knows? / @ReluctantNicko

According to Twitter’s fountain of eternal wisdom, Alan Nixon, Reading are “working on a midfield play maker” but it might not be finished by the weekend. Either way, this mystery person wouldn’t be eligible for Friday night’s season opener against Frank Lampard’s Derby County.

This probably refers to Jay Fulton (see above).

Lamine Kone (August 1)

Sunderland / Defender / Loan / @ReluctantNicko & Northern Echo / JOINED STRASBOURG

Alan Nixon from the Mirror claims that Reading are after a loan deal for Sunderland’s 29-year-old centre-half Lamine Kone. With Clement saying that the Royals aren’t after another defender, this one looks unlikely - although that could change if Moore goes to Brighton. Local media reckon Turkish and French clubs are negotiating a deal for the defender. Most recently, HITC discuss how Sunderland’s high asking price put Strasbourg off a move. ‘Le Racing’ did though end up signing Kone on a loan deal on August 1st.

Curtis Tilt (July 31)

Blackpool / Defender / Undisclosed / HITC

Tilt plays for Blackpool as a defender, he’s had a really good season and has therefore been linked with Reading, QPR and Ipswich Town. The latter lead the chase and have made a bid for him. However, the Lancashire club insist to their local media that no offer has been accepted. Most recently, Rangers have been touted for a bid with Ipswich still talked up by their local media. On July 31st, Tilt handed in a transfer request.

Barrie McKay (July 31)

Nottingham Forest / Winger / Undisclosed / The Scottish Sun / JOINED SWANSEA CITY

Forest winger McKay had been set to move to Greek side Olympiakos, but he reportedly has doubts over the move. Reading are thought to be ‘monitoring the situation’, although there’s currently no suggestion we’ve made a bid. Ipswich have also been linked to the winger who local Notts media consider to be surplus to requirements. In the end, it was Swansea who snapped him up on July 31st.

Sam Baldock (July 30)

Brighton / Striker / Part Swap Deal / HITC & The Mirror / DONE DEAL

In an attempt to take Liam Moore to the South Coast, Brighton may offer Sam Baldock as part of the deal. The 29-year-old featured just twice in the Premier League last season, but did score 11 times in the Championship when the Seagulls won promotion in 2016/17. In late June, Sky Sports confirmed that the Royals remained interested in Baldock, but he would be a completely separate transfer to any deal for Moore. Some weeks after reports initially broke, HITC again stated that it is Reading on the verge of signing him and he officially became a Royal on July 30.

Sam Walker (July 24)

Free Agent / Goalkeeper / Free / The Bolton News / DONE DEAL

Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images

Having recently been on trial at Bolton Wanderers, shot-stopper Sam Walker could instead be on his way to Reading. The 29-year-old rejected a new deal at Colchester United this summer after four years with the Essex-based club, and came through Chelsea’s academy. Does bringing in another goalkeeper really make sense? Paul Clement seemed to think so, and snapped up Walker on July 25th.

Mbaye Diagne (July 17)

Kasimpasa / Striker / Undisclosed / Turkish Football

TF have learned through Diagne’s agent that Reading are “locked in the race” for the 26 year-old with Bournemouth and Hull City. The offers by the three clubs are reportedly being considering by Balkan and Claudio Mossio, who work for Kasimpasa, before being forwarded on to the Turkish side to look at further on July 9. Leeds and Real Sociedad, along with clubs from the Middle East, have also been thrown in the mix.

Harry Wilson (July 17)

Liverpool / Winger / Loan / Liverpool Echo / JOINED DERBY COUNTY

After scoring seven goals in 13 appearances on loan at Hull last season to steer the Tigers away from the Championship relegation zone, Harry Wilson is on the radar of a number of second tier clubs including Reading as Liverpool state their intention to let him spend the season away from Anfield once more. With the Reds potentially handing the youngster a new contract, he has stated his intent to achieve first-team football and ‘will weigh up the options and go from there’ if that isn’t possible. Derby confirmed the loan signing on July 17th.

Mason Mount (July 17)

Chelsea / Midfielder / Loan / The Sun / JOINED DERBY COUNTY

After a stunning spell on loan at Vitesse last season, 19-year-old Mount will not be short of offers this summer. Ajax, PSV, Sporting Lisbon, Werder Bremen, QPR and Norwich are all interested in taking him on loan along with Reading. The Telegraph placed Frank Lampard’s Derby as the frontrunners to snap up the midfielder, and he signed on loan for the Rams on July 17th.

Tim Krul (July 16)

Free agent / Goalkeeper / free transfer / HITC / JOINED NORWICH CITY

Reading reportedly want to go head-to-head with Bristol City to sign Tim Krul, despite already having too many ‘keepers. Speculation then linked him with Norwich City, who made him their new number one on July 24th.

Kyle Bartley (July 16)

Swansea / Defender / Undisclosed / HITC / JOINED WEST BROMWICH ALBION

Paul Clement knows Bartley from his time at Swansea, but the 26-year-old could favour a move to Leeds after spending the 2016/17 season on loan at Elland Road. However, the Swans may decide to keep him themselves following relegation to the Championship with the Yorkshire club still sniffing around. In the end, West Brom signed the defender on a three-year deal.

Marcus Maddison (July 15)

Peterborough United / Midfielder / £4.5 million / Peterborough Today

Maddison is in demand after registering 12 goals and 23 assists across 53 games in all competitions for Peterborough last season. Rumours began in late May and both Posh owner Darragh MacAnthony and director of football Barry Fry have confirmed Reading’s interest in him. MacAnthony has admitted on Twitter that two teams have activated Maddison’s release clause with Leeds and Nottingham Forest named in their respective local media. That said, the player went on Boro’s pre-season tour in Portugal.

Stephen Ireland (July 13)

Stoke City / Midfielder / Free Transfer / Irish Mirror

Recently released by Stoke City following the Potters’ relegation to the Championship, Ireland has also been linked with former club Aston Villa as well as Bolton, who he is expected to go on trial with in the next week or so. The 31-year-old has made just four Premier League appearance in the last two years. Daily Mirror most recently claimed that Villa’s economic situation is so bad that even free agent deals aren’t possible, and Ireland won’t be rejoining the team.

Fernando Karanga (July 12)

CSKA Sofia / Striker / Undisclosed / Daily Mail / JOINED HENAN JIANYE

Also from the same Mail article as Pukki, Brazilian forward Karanga was first in his club’s scoring charts last season. Some weeks later, he signed for Chinese team Jianye with the fee unreported.

Reece Burke (July 9)

West Ham United / Defender / Undisclosed / The Mirror & The Times / JOINED HULL CITY

In demand after helping Bolton retain the Championship status in the second half of last season, Burke is set to leave boyhood club West Ham this summer. Sheffield Wednesday want him on loan, whilst Reading, Rangers, Leeds and Aston Villa could offer him a permanent deal. It is also reported that new boss Manuel Pellegrini is open to offers for Burke. In the end it was Hull who won the race for the 21-year-old.

Manuel David Milinkovic (July 9)

Genoa / Winger / Undisclosed / Tutto Mercato Web / JOINED HULL CITY

The 24 year-old was on loan at Hearts last season, where he got six goals and five assists in his 22 appearances. The Scottish club wanted to keep him, and Genoa were open to a permanent deal, but despite Reading and Ipswich being linked he signed for Hull on a three-year deal.

Marc McNulty (July 6)

Coventry City / Striker / £1.5 million / Sky Sports / DONE DEAL

After Paul Clement admitted he was after a striker or two, it emerged that Reading have reportedly had two bids rejected for Marc McNulty, who scored 28 goals in all competitions for Coventry City last season as they won promotion to League One via the play-offs. The Royals have reportedly bid in excess of £500,000, but this is still lower than Coventry’s valuation. According to HITC, they then went back with a £1.2 million offer (rising to £1.5 million) which the Sky Blues accepted.

Dwight Pascal (July 5)

Barnet / Defender / Undisclosed training compensation fee / The Scottish Sun

Having become Barnet’s youngest ever player at 15 years old, Dwight Pascal (now 17) could move away from the Bees following their relegation to non-league. Rangers and QPR are also linked with the defender, who would command a training compensation fee rather than a transfer fee.

Moussa Sao (July 2)

Sochaux / Forward / Free transfer / The Sun

The Senegalese frontman is out of contract at French second-tier side Sochaux this summer, and could move to the English Championship. Reading, Stoke City and Sheffield Wednesday are all credited with interest in a 28 year-old who scored nine goals in 68 for his most recent club. In early July, Bolton offered the winger a trial.

Teemu Pukki (June 30)

Brondby / Striker / Undisclosed / Daily Mail / JOINED NORWICH CITY

Photo by Christian Hofer/Getty Images

In an attempt to get Reading firing, Paul Clement is thought to be eyeing up a move for Teemu Pukki (Finnish), who had a two-year spell at Celtic between 2013 and 2015. There’s no detail in the Mail’s article, the piece forgets that we signed David Meyler and it doesn’t know that Pukki is now a free agent. Out of nowhere, Pukki signed for Norwich on June 30.

Matt Clarke (June 28)

Portsmouth / Defender / Undisclosed / Reading Chronicle

Potentially a rehash of a January rumour, Reading’s name was first mentioned in reports on May 22 discussing promising defender Clarke. Brighton, Wolves and Bristol City are also supposedly keen on the 21-year-old who won Portsmouth’s Player of the Year award in 2017/18. The club’s stance is one of defiance, with winger Jamal Lowe stating: “If a Premier League club came in for him, you’d think the money they’d offer would be irresistible. But we want to keep him and that shows his value and how important he is.”

Tommy Elphick (June 27)

Aston Villa / Defender / Undisclosed / GetReading / JOINED HULL CITY

Reading reportedly want to bring Tommy Elphick back to the club after his short-term loan stint in the second half of 2017/18. The centre back is contracted to Aston Villa but, due to their financial problems, the Villans could be pressured into cashing in on a player who originally cost them roughly £4 million from Bournemouth in 2016. However, the Chronicle report that the deal could hit a stumbling block with Steve Bruce potentially keen to keep Elphick in the Midlands following John Terry’s departure. Paul Clement himself pushed back on the links on June 27, stating that Reading’s priority is a striker.

Paddy McNair (June 27)

Sunderland / Midfielder / £5,000,000 / Northern Echo / JOINED MIDDLESBROUGH

Reading were reportedly ready to spend big on Paddy McNair, who impressed for Sunderland despite the Black Cats’ relegation - and scored a screamer at the Madejski Stadium in April. After Chronicle Live claimed an unnamed ‘London’ side was bidding for the Northern Irishman against Brighton, the Northern Echo wrote that the Royals were set to up an initial bid to £5 million. However, the Irish Sun then claimed Brighton were to nab the midfielder for £7 million. Meanwhile, the BBC reported that Middlesbrough had an offer accepted for McNair in a deal that could rise to £5 million and he signed for the Teesiders on June 27.

Ethan Ebanks-Landell (June 7)

Wolves / Defender / Undisclosed / Reading Chronicle

The 25-year-old came through Wolves’ academy but has struggled for game time in recent years. He was relegated from League One whilst on loan at MK Dons last season, having won the division with Sheffield United the previous campaign. Most natural as a centre-back, but can fill in at full-back as well.

David Meyler (June 3)

Hull City / Midfielder / Free transfer / HITC & Chronicle Live / DONE DEAL

Meyler was linked to Reading following his release from Nigel Adkins’ Hull City, and after stating his next move would be based on ‘ambition’, he became a Royal on June 5th. The midfielder had won promotion to the Premier League with the Tigers twice, having also previously played in the top flight with Sunderland.

John O’Shea (June 3)

Sunderland / Defender / Free Transfer / Sunderland Echo / DONE DEAL

Initially reported to have been unwanted by new Sunderland boss Jack Ross, O’Shea will end his playing career with a one-year contract at Reading before moving into a coaching career. He has spent the last seven years with the Black Cats having previously been at Manchester United, where he won five Premier League winners medals.

Ruben Lameiras (May 28)

Plymouth Argyle / Winger / £300,000 / The Sun

Reading and Sheffield United plan on going head-to-head for the signature of Portuguese winger Lameiras, who was in the Spurs youth set-up at the same time as Harry Kane. This report puts the 23 year-old’s valuation in the region of £300,000, and claims that a Royals bid is “imminent” for a player who’ll be out of contract in 2019.

Ronan Curtis (May 22)

Derry City / Winger / Undisclosed / Derry Journal / JOINED PORTSMOUTH

Reading were looking to poach another gem from the League of Ireland, but Portsmouth were always winning the race for Curtis, who has agreed to join the South Coast side on a two-year deal that goes through in early June.

Michael Krmencik (May 22)

Viktoria Plzen / Striker / Undisclosed / HITC

Previously linked with Newcastle and Aston Villa, Kremcik has scored 19 goals in 33 games in all competitions for Viktoria Plzen so far this season. Paul Clement reportedly watched the 25-year-old watched score against FK Teplice.

Adam Hammill (May 21)

Barnsley / Winger / Free transfer / Reading Chronicle

After signing one out of contract Barnsley player, Reading are reportedly after another with 30-year-old Adam Hammill on their radar. He came through Liverpool’s academy, but didn’t score a single goal in 38 Championship appearances last season.

Andy Yiadom (May 17)

Barnsley / Right-Back / Free Transfer / HITC / DONE DEAL

Having been linked with Yiadom for the last few transfer windows, Reading finally got their man after the 26-year-old’s contract ran out at recently relegated Barnsley.

Denis Kolinger (May 16)

Lokomotiva Zagreb / Defender / £1 million / The Sun

After a hugely impressive season in Croatian top flight, Kolinger only just missed out on a World Cup call-up for the Eastern European nation. Brighton and Middlesbrough also reportedly keen to sign him.

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Rumoured Departures

Pelle Clement (August 27)

FC Utrecht / Midfielder / Undisclosed / Fox Netherlands

After seeing his opportunities dry up under Paul Clement, Pelle Clement may look for a move away from Reading, with Dutch sides PEC Zwolle, Willem II and FC Utrecht all reportedly interested. Paul Clement has commented that the 22-year-old does have a future in Berkshire, but not necessarily in the short term.

Mo Barrow (August 4)

Leicester City / Winger / £8.5 million / Sport Bladet

It’s not everyday a Swedish news site publishes a transfer rumour on a Reading player, but here we are. Sport Bladet seem to think that Mo Barrow, who previously played in the Scandinavian country with Ostersunds, is being tracked by Leicester City. They state that the winger is “open” to a move, but that the Foxes will currently not meet Reading’s price tag of 100 million kroner (just over £8.5 million).

Sam Smith (July 31)

Oxford United / Striker / Loan / Oxford Bible / DONE DEAL

A loan move away for Smith would make sense if Paul Clement was to bring a couple of senior strikers this window, and the report states that the 20-year-old would indeed only move to O*ford if Reading secured a new frontman (they suggest Sam Baldock). Indeed, Karl Robinson has gone public stating his intent to sign the striker, admitting that he faces competition in doing so. As expected, once Baldock arrived at the Madejski Stadium, Smith completed a season long loan on July 31st.

George Evans (July 31)

Derby County / Midfielder / ‘Six figure fee’ / Roker Report / DONE DEAL

After looking set to complete a move to Sunderland a couple of weeks’ ago, George Evans’ most likely destination is now Derby County. The Rams’ interest was the reason why the midfielder rejected a move to the Stadium of Light, whilst after Reading’s pre-season friendly with Crystal Palace, Paul Clement confirmed that Evans had confirmed terms with a new club. His move to Pride Park was confirmed on July 31st.

Liam Moore (July 28)

Brighton / Defender / £10 million / Sky Sports

Reading’s most valuable player, Moore was always going to attract attention from bigger clubs this summer and Brighton are the first club to be named as interested. With Reading having rejected an opening bid from Brighton (apparently), the Seagulls are going back in with a bigger offer that may or may not include forward Sam Baldock. Sky’s latest claim is that Brighton’s third bid included an upfront fee of £8 million, which The Mirror allege was rejected with the Royals holding out for £10 million. Fast forward a couple weeks from that and Bleacher Report claim he handed in a transfer request, which was confirmed by Paul Clement after the pre-season friendly with Crystal Palace.

Joey van den Berg (July 25)

PEC Zwolle / Defensive Midfielder / Undisclosed / Voetbal / JOINED NEC

Van den Berg has admitted that he may be open to a return to the Netherlands with just a year left on his Reading contract, but Zwolle claim that they currently cannot afford him. He previously played for the club between 2010 and 2013, whilst he has featured for the Royals 68 times in two years. In the end it was Dutch second tier side NEC who snapped the 32-year-old up, agreeing a season-long loan deal with Reading.

John Swift (June 15)

Fulham / Attacking Midfielder / £12 million / Reading Chronicle

Going on a tweet from @TinpotFooty, the Reading Chronicle claim that John Swift, who has struggled for fitness for the last year and a half, is set to be the subject of a massive bid from Premier League newboys Fulham. They report:

“Meanwhile, Royals ace John Swift is being tracked by Fulham following their promotion back to the top flight via the Championship play-offs.

“Sources suggest the Cottagers are lining up a £12m bid for the 22-year-old, who signed a new five-year deal last summer.”

Sandro Wieser (June 1)

Interested Club: FC Aarau / Position: Midfielder / Price: Undisclosed / Source: Aargauer Zeitung / RELEASED

Still yet to make a first team appearance for Reading despite signing nearly two years, Wieser spent last season on loan at KSV Roeselare in Belgium. He was then spotted at the start of May at FC Aarau’s ground in Switzerland talking to sporting director Sandro Burki, sparking rumours of a return to the club where he spent a period on loan three years ago.

Wieser has since been released by Reading, and later joined FC Vaduz.

Vito Mannone (May 30)

Sampdoria / Goalkeeper / Undisclosed / TuttoMercatoWeb

Although the source is one of the least credible around, it is conceivable that Mannone could want to return to Italy after 13 years in England following the recent sad death of his mother. Sampdoria could lose Emiliano Viviano to Sporting Lisbon this summer and see Mannone as his replacement.

Danny Loader (May 21)

Wycombe Wanderers / Striker / Loan / Reading Chronicle

Loader joined Reading’s academy from Wycombe at the age of 12, and now the Chairboys want him back on loan having just secured promotion from League One. The 17-year-old made his Royals senior debut last season after impressing for the youth teams.

Paul Clement (May 15)

Napoli / Coach / The Mirror

With Carlo Ancelotti appointed as the new manager of Napoli, Clement could join him as assistant manager having been the Italian’s number two at Chelsea, PSG, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in the past. Andrea Pirlo has also been touted for the role.

Adrian Popa (May 13)

Steaua Bucharest / Winger / Undisclosed / DigiSport

Popa was pictured training with Steaua Bucharest in May, which manager Nicolae Dica claimed was to help the winger keep his fitness up in the off season. But the rumours about a possible return to his former club haven’t gone away ever since, despite Popa stating his intention to stay in Berkshire.