All news

Transfer Window Closes

Reading failed to sign a striker as the summer transfer deadline passed. Free agent Andy Carroll remained a solid rumour throughout transfer deadline day but he failed to sign after being released by Newcastle United in the summer. Reading are left with a stronger midfield and defence after a busy final week of the window but fans will be left frustrated by the lack of a goalscorer with long term injuries to our better striking options.

Paunovic would have started the season feeling reasonably confident about the back line, despite the lack of a left back, with Moore and Morrison in the middle. However, our goalscoring issues have been overshadowed at the back where Reading have suffered so far this season. We have already conceeded a whopping 16 goals in just 6 games. With that in mind the signing of centre-back Scott Dann is a big boost. The 34 year old was released by Crystal Palace and will bring loads of experience to Reading after signing a one-year contract. He made over 180 appearances for Palace and will hopefully look comfortable after dropping down a division.

More experience arrived after former Leicester midfielder Danny Drinkwater joined Reading on a season loan from Chelsea. Drinkwater has struggled recently with injuries and issues off the pitch after his high profile move to Chelsea after Leicester won the Premier League. His impressive performances atr Leicester not only led to trophies but an England call up where he made three appearances for the Three Lions. He comes to Reading looking to get his career back on track after some tough times where he has struggled to get matches. If he can rediscover even some of his form at Reading then he could be a massive signing this season as Reading look to turn a poor start around.

Reading's Summer Signings

  • Abdul-Rahman Baba - Chelsea left back - signed on loan
  • Danny Drinkwater - Chelsea midfielder - on loan
  • Tom Dele-Bashiru - Watford Midfielder - on loan
  • Alen Halilovic - Midfielder - free transfer
  • Junior Hoilett - Winger - free transfer
  • Scott Dann - Defender - free transfer
  • From the Discussion

    • LU LUX 1 Sep 2021 · 1:54pm

      can someone post up who we've signed please. It's very inconclusive over on rumours/gossip

    • SU Sutekh 1 Sep 2021 · 1:56pm

      Tom Dele Bashiru Scott Dann Alen Halilovic Junior Hoilett Baba Rahman Danny Drinkwater

    • ZI Zip 1 Sep 2021 · 2:15pm

      According to Casumo we have also bought Andy Carroll :lol:

    • SO SouthDownsRoyal 1 Sep 2021 · 5:07pm

      Lol @ casumo

    • SO SouthDownsRoyal 1 Sep 2021 · 5:08pm

      Not bad

    • LW Lower West 1 Sep 2021 · 10:27pm

      Would have preferred signing Troy Deeney to the midfield overload we now have. The lack of pace in the team remains a major concern. There's little natural width. Unless Pauno has a plan to plan to play with wingbacks and Drinkwater as a holding defensive midfielder.

    • ZI Zip 1 Sep 2021 · 10:32pm

      Hopefully we have enough to avoid a relegation battle.

    • WE Westwood52 1 Sep 2021 · 11:30pm

      Yeah interesting selection for the fake hoops.Not getting a striker in will bite us on the bum;but Man U couldn’t get a CDM in to replace Fred and Liverpool didn’t get anyone in. We are not the only team that failed to rectify the bleeding obvious.

    • HE Hendo 2 Sep 2021 · 8:33am

      Deeny was never going to come here when Birmingham became an option, was never going to turn down his boyhood club.

    • WE Westwood52 2 Sep 2021 · 10:46am

      I assume Carrol didn’t fancy getting out of his mega sized bed for £8.5 grand a week ?

    • NA NathStPaul 2 Sep 2021 · 10:50am

      As has been pointed out on about 50 ocassions in numerous threads, we had to offload players before we could sign anyone else. If he wanted to come here or not is a moot point. :|

    • WE Westwood52 2 Sep 2021 · 1:02pm

      So we should have brought him in as our sixth acquisition and forgone a punt on someone else;given since Joao got crocked and after a LB,a striker was an absolute must.Very,very tricky.Dann,DWater and Baba are almost certain to start.Given Swift’s fragility,presumably Halilovic covers.Toilet gives us some wide cover.So it looks like TDB might be superfluous.Yet he was first pick.

    Read all the discussion