READING FC are likely to delve into the free agents market to fill the gaps in the first-team squad with the club limited to only signing players on a free or loan.
Royals boss Ruben Selles had targeted bringing in 10 new faces to freshen up the squad, but his plans have been hampered by off field financial problems.
With the transfer window still open for another few weeks, Reading are likely to still be on the hunt for new additions.
Here are five targets that the club could have in mind given their financial limitations.
Theo Walcott
The Royals have been consistently linked with a move for the former England international who was training at Bearwood at the beginning of pre-season.
The former Arsenal forward is still without a club having departed Southampton in the summer and has been subject to interest oc Championship teams as well as Premier League Bournemouth.
However, Walcott is said to have been impressed with Reading coach Ruben Selles when they worked together last season and the Spaniard admitted that there is an offer on the table for the 34-year-old.
George Cox
Ruben Selles currently only has one senior option at left-back, Nesta Guinness-Walker, and is likely to want to address that with a long season ahead.
Young defender Matty Carson impressed for Reading in their EFL Cup win over Millwall, but they could look to sign free agent Cox for a more experieced head in defence.
Reading’s defence has shipped far too many goals over the past few seasons with many fans clamouring some fresh faces to enter the back line.
Cox started his career with Brighton & Hove Albion and after a short loan spell with Northampton in League Two, he joined Fortuna Sittard in the Eredivisie.
He played 21 times in his debut season in the Netherlands and the Dutch side opted to sign him on a permanent deal the following year.
Cox made a total of 104 appearances for Sittard and scored eight goals before his contract expired in the summer.
Matt Penney
Another left-back option for Reading to consider could be 25-year-old Penny, who was released by Ipswich Town in the summer.
Having come through Sheffield Wednesday’s ranks, he made a total of 32 senior appearance for them before he left to join Ipswich on a permanent deal in 2021.
Penney played 22 League One matches for the Tractor Boys in the 2021/22 season.
He was sent out on loan to Scottish side Motherwell at the start of the 2022/23 campaign and played 18 times in an impressive six-month spell in the SPL.
He spent the remainder of the season with Charlton Athletic in League One and appeared five times.
Tom Rogic
This is a name that has constantly popped up on the rumour mill over the years.
The attacking midfielder could provide an excellent option in League One given his experience playing at a higher level.
The 30-year-old is best remembered for his time at Celtic where he netted 46 times in 273 games, helping them to six league titles.
He spent last season with West Brom but played just six times before he was released in the summer.
Stefan Johansen
It’s no secret that the Royals are in desperate need of midfield depth.
Johansen could be a superb option having played plenty of Championship football over the past decade.
He played three seasons at Celtic before making the switch to Fulham in 2016/17.
He was a hit at Fulham and scored 11 times in his debut season and followed that up with eight more league goals the next year.
He had a loan spell with West Brom before he moved to QPR.
He made 85 appearances and scored seven times for QPR before his contract expired in the summer.
