READING were unable to complete a deal for a striker on transfer deadline day.
The Royals were keen to get another player through the door with Nelson Oliveira of Norwich City, Preston North End’s Jordan Hugill and Brighton forward Tomer Hemed on the radar.
As well as a striker, Reading reportedly showed interest in signing winger Ikechi Anya from Derby County and also contemplated a loan deal for West Brom youngster Sam Field.
But despite their best efforts, director of football Brian Tevreden and chief executive Ron Gourlay called it a night at 10pm, one hour before the window officially closed.
Whilst they couldn’t add one more, it was a fantastic transfer window for Reading.
The club lost two stars of last season’s run to the play-off final in Ali Al-Habsi and Danny Williams, but significantly strengthened the squad with the arrivals of Vito Mannone, Leandro Bacuna, Dave Edwards, Pelle Clement, Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, Modou Barrow and new record signing Sone Aluko.
The total outlay for the seven comes to an estimated £19 million.
As well as that, arguably the biggest deal of the summer saw manager Jaap Stam extend his contract.
A number of the key young players have also been tied down on long-term deals including Liam Kelly, Liam Moore, John Swift and Jordan Obita.
There was one deal on deadline day with Sandro Wieser leaving to join Belgian side KSV
Roeselare on loan, but Stephen Quinn will stay and fight for his place.
One other news line from the club today is that the Championship game against Barnsley,
scheduled to take place on September 14, has been postponed due to Barnsley’s Carabao Cup commitments. No new date has yet been set for the fixture.
READING FC TRANSFER ROUND-UP
INS: Pelle Clement (Ajax), Jon Dadi Bodvarsson (Wolves), Vito Mannone (Sunderland), Modou Barrow (Swansea), Leandro Bacuna (Aston Villa), Dave Edwards (Wolves), Sone Aluko (Fulham).
OUTS: Jack Stacey (Luton), Niall Keown (Partick Thistle), Ali Al-Habsi (Al-Hilal), Dominic Samuel (Blackburn), Paolo Hurtado (Vitoria), Jake Cooper (Millwall).
LOANS OUT: Deniss Rakels (Lech Poznan), Jonathan Bond (Peterborough), Andrija Novakovich (Telstar), Danzell Gravenberch (Roeselare), Yakou Meite (Sochaux), Rob Dickie (Lincoln), Lewis Ward (Hungerford), Luke Southwood (Bath City), Sandro Wieser (Roeselare).
