Squad for 2025-2026

[Linden Jones' Tash]

Losing Amadou would be a big loss on a number of levels, but I can't begrudge him getting a better deal elsewhere - he's 23 and Watford have a good record of selling players onto bigger European Clubs

It appears clear that the new owners will have a clear financial strategy which will limit the budget for the first team squad - so we could well find ourselves outbid more now than in the past.

With a more limited playing budget, the recruitment team will need to work smart - early decisions from those offered deals will help.

Will be an interesting summer to see how the jigsaw is put together

[Sutekh]

https://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/spor ... ct-status/

"There are other players that we have agreed with that we haven’t necessarily announced yet," Jacobson told The Reading Chronicle. "I know on social media fans are worried we haven’t signed anyone, but we have done, there is just a process we have to go through with the EFL because of the takeover. We have got more there that we have agreed and we are awaiting for it to get signed off."

Which will presumably cover the likes of WiFi, Wareham, Kanu, Garcia, Craig, Rushesha etc.

[WestYorksRoyal]

Odd that the new owners are undergoing so many checks on contract renewal when they've already put big distance between themselves and Dai, plus Couhig has a track record. I can undergoing why you may want to monitor an unproven owner more, but equally do they actually have the power to block anything? They didn't block us buying Puscas because they couldn't.

What are the EFL trying to achieve here,?

[Sutekh]

Odd that the new owners are undergoing so many checks on contract renewal when they've already put big distance between themselves and Dai, plus Couhig has a track record. I can undergoing why you may want to monitor an unproven owner more, but equally do they actually have the power to block anything? They didn't block us buying Puscas because they couldn't.

What are the EFL trying to achieve here,?

Apparently it’s a thing that all clubs under new ownership have to endure. JJ (Joe Jacobsen) was saying that for the first couple of months the FL check things through that they are in line with the business plans submitted by the clubs as part of a take over, there’s apparently a few sides “stuck” in this boat at the moment.

[Linden Jones' Tash]

Running a corner shop isn't the same as running a supermarket, so caution is a good thing...

[WestYorksRoyal]

And there's no real urgency I guess. We have until 30 June, so may as well be cautious.

[Snowflake Royal]

I was pretty critical of Meite during his last season with us (not his attitude just clearly the injury took something out of him), but I could see this working out ok

I wouldn’t expect miracles from him but he’s a big strong forward player who could put himself about at this level. He’d score goals as well I reckon

At 29 he could still have plenty of years left in him. I wouldn’t be against us bringing him in

He’s been involved in 72 games in last two years and prob quite a few as unused sub, so does suggest he hasn’t had injuries

Genuinely think a player's happiness is a big deal. He liked it here. It’s familiar. The fans loved him. It’s the sort of move that could revitalise a player that has struggled to recapture form after injury and settling into a new team.

[Snowflake Royal]

And already people downplaying what a loss he'll be. Could be way off, but felt like our worst performances/defeats last season came when he was injured. As big a loss as Bindon imo, and losing both at the same time is a serious problem.

Amadou should look at the history of players that we’ve sent to Watford from Trevor Senior onwards

Although IMO he was often injured (compare to Bindon for example). He’d miss a couple of games and get fit , then pull something either in his first match back and be subbed or over commit and be out for another game or two. Could have cost us that point we needed to have another Wembley disappointment day…

Can’t fault his commitment or personality though.

If we can get a set of decent defenders that stay fit then we could mitigate the loss.

Liam Bennett from Cambridge anyone? (Although he’s just signed a new contract to up his price)

Would certainly snap up little Liam Bennett for RB if free, but I wouldn’t pay much for him.


Mbengue (combined with Bindon) is a huge loss. We basically need an entire back 4 at this point. I can't see us challenging now. Hitting 4 good defender transfers to all hit the ground running? No chance.

Yiadom, Abrefa and Dorsett aren't fit enough to rely on. Garcia, Stickland and Kanu aren't ready to be starters.

[Sutekh]

Hoping we can get a top quality new face or two into defence, there must be a promising PL youngster ready to step out into the world of proper football on loan, Amara Nallo from Liverpool for example. But it’s one area we could probably do with finding a Harlee Dean type to hold things together and help bring the younger players on quicker.

I’m sure Brian and Joe will have various shortlists to work through and contacts they can call on for a favour or two .

[Uke]

Hoping we can get a top quality new face or two into defence, there must be a promising PL youngster ready to step out into the world of proper football on loan, Amara Nallo from Liverpool for example. But it’s one area we could probably do with finding a Harlee Dean type to hold things together and help bring the younger players on quicker.

I’m sure Brian and Joe will have various shortlists to work through and contacts they can call on for a favour or two .

Not sure letting Dean go was a good idea

He was superb against Cambridge when (irony meter overload) he replaced an injured Mbengue

[linkenholtroyal]

Hoping we can get a top quality new face or two into defence, there must be a promising PL youngster ready to step out into the world of proper football on loan, Amara Nallo from Liverpool for example. But it’s one area we could probably do with finding a Harlee Dean type to hold things together and help bring the younger players on quicker.

I’m sure Brian and Joe will have various shortlists to work through and contacts they can call on for a favour or two .

I do wonder whether Grant Hanley might be the seasoned pro we might bring in to push on the youngsters. Keep looking for a player of that calibre and that’s the one that jumps out. He is 33 played for Brum the second half of the season and has just been released by them. Also had time with Tomkinson who has been associated with the club from Norwich. Pure speculation but would not be a suprise.

[Snowflake Royal]

Hoping we can get a top quality new face or two into defence, there must be a promising PL youngster ready to step out into the world of proper football on loan, Amara Nallo from Liverpool for example. But it’s one area we could probably do with finding a Harlee Dean type to hold things together and help bring the younger players on quicker.

I’m sure Brian and Joe will have various shortlists to work through and contacts they can call on for a favour or two .

I do wonder whether Grant Hanley might be the seasoned pro we might bring in to push on the youngsters. Keep looking for a player of that calibre and that’s the one that jumps out. He is 33 played for Brum the second half of the season and has just been released by them. Also had time with Tomkinson who has been associated with the club from Norwich. Pure speculation but would not be a suprise.

33 is really pushing it for me. Players can really fall off a cliff about that age.

[linkenholtroyal]

Hoping we can get a top quality new face or two into defence, there must be a promising PL youngster ready to step out into the world of proper football on loan, Amara Nallo from Liverpool for example. But it’s one area we could probably do with finding a Harlee Dean type to hold things together and help bring the younger players on quicker.

I’m sure Brian and Joe will have various shortlists to work through and contacts they can call on for a favour or two .

I do wonder whether Grant Hanley might be the seasoned pro we might bring in to push on the youngsters. Keep looking for a player of that calibre and that’s the one that jumps out. He is 33 played for Brum the second half of the season and has just been released by them. Also had time with Tomkinson who has been associated with the club from Norwich. Pure speculation but would not be a suprise.

33 is really pushing it for me. Players can really fall off a cliff about that age.

I was thinking years contract with the option of another year. Maybe play 10 games a season and be that background support.

[Hound]

A couple of decent ambitious L1 centre backs out of contract aged between 23 and 27 would do for me. Basically Harvey Knibbs at CB

[Hound]

Top of list would be O’Connor from Lincoln

Weirdly checked his wiki page and it says ‘Current club - Reading’

I know that anyone can edit etc so basically meaningless, but still…

[WestYorksRoyal]

Top of list would be O’Connor from Lincoln

Weirdly checked his wiki page and it says ‘Current club - Reading’

I know that anyone can edit etc so basically meaningless, but still…

Stephen Hunt is his agent and we tried before. Would be a great signing. Rumours a week or so ago that Wycombe had put themselves in pole position though. Don't know how true it is, but they are backed by a billionaire and if they want to effectively pay Championship wages we should be willing to walk away.

Joseph Olowu is the other one, who just captained Doncaster to promotion and is very highly rated.

But I'd take retaining Mbengue over both of them.

[Sutekh]

Top of list would be O’Connor from Lincoln

Weirdly checked his wiki page and it says ‘Current club - Reading’

I know that anyone can edit etc so basically meaningless, but still…

He is out of contract too, though Lincoln have offered him a new deal. Interesting times.

[RoyallyFcuked]

Delighted we've managed to keep hold of Pereira, was thinking and hoping that it would see the rest follow suit including Mbengue. Especially considering the connection he seems to have with the fans and the club, as others have mentioned.

As for Meite coming back, I did love him when he was here but he clearly hasn't been the same player since his long term injury when he was with us, so I would pass to be honest. Wouldn't be complaining if he did return and not saying it couldn't work out, just think we should be looking elsewhere.

One player I would really like to see return is Nelson Abbey. I'm sure he never wanted to leave but obviously we were forced to sell him for peanuts. But he's Reading lad who clearly loved the club (like Holmes and McIntyre) but I think he potentially has a much higher ceiling than them. With Bindon gone, Abbey could be a very good partner for Mbengue if he stays but would be a great addition either way. His game time has been limited since his move too so he would likely jump at the chance to return.

[tidus_mi2]

Top of list would be O’Connor from Lincoln

Weirdly checked his wiki page and it says ‘Current club - Reading’

I know that anyone can edit etc so basically meaningless, but still…

He is out of contract too, though Lincoln have offered him a new deal. Interesting times.

Feels really poor planning on Lincoln's part to neither tie him down to a longer contract or cash in on him. Oh well, hopefully their loss is our gain.

[WestYorksRoyal]

Top of list would be O’Connor from Lincoln

Weirdly checked his wiki page and it says ‘Current club - Reading’

I know that anyone can edit etc so basically meaningless, but still…

He is out of contract too, though Lincoln have offered him a new deal. Interesting times.

Feels really poor planning on Lincoln's part to neither tie him down to a longer contract or cash in on him. Oh well, hopefully their loss is our gain.

I believe there are no concrete rumours linking us with him? It's putting 2 + 2 together due to the agent connection, but I'm sure he's in high demand, possibly from the Championship too.

I'm not holding my breath, though would love to be proven wrong.