Reading FC will likely be looking to dip into the transfer market for a centre-back after the departure of Amadou Mbengue.
The Royals had offered the 23-year-old a contract extension, but with plenty of interest from Championship clubs, he decided to sign for Queens Park Rangers.
Having also lost Tyler Bindon, the Royals will need to look to the transfer market to replace their starting centre-back pairing from last season.
Reading have already signed former Lincoln City captain Paudie O’Connor on a free transfer, while young defender Michael Stickland signed a one-year extension.
Meanwhile, Reading’s squad is currently very short on senior players with the club expected to make several new signings before the start of the 2025/26 campaign.
Here are five potential replacements for Amadou Mbengue.
Nelson Abbey
Graduated from the Reading academy and made a huge impact on the first-team in a very short time.
Having been trusted by Ruben Selles he was thrust into first-team action and impressed so much that he was purchased by Olympiacos in January 2024 with Reading in a desperate financial situation.
However, things haven’t worked out so far for him since leaving Reading having played just four times for Olympiacos.
Following an unsuccessful loan spell at Swansea City where he played just once in the Carabao Cup he then moved to Portuguese side Rio Ave and played 10 times in all competitions.
Although it’s unlikely that Reading would be able to buy Abbey, they may look for a loan deal to bring the 21-year-old back to Berkshire.
Anfernee Dijksteel
This one may be a bit of a longshot given that he’s had interest from Championship teams following his release from Middlesbrough, but he would be an excellent addition.
At 28-years-old he already has bags of experience playing in the EFL having spent three years with Charlton Athletic before spending six years in the Championship with Boro.
He played 30 Championship games last year as Boro finished in 10th.
Grant Hanley
An option with an absolute wealth of experience but with still plenty left to give at this level.
The 33-year-old has spent the majority of his career playing in the Championship, but has also played in the Premier League with Blackburn Rovers and more recently with Norwich City.
He played 15 League One games last season as Birmingham City romped to the title with 111 points before he was released by the Blues last month.
Donovan Pines
A player with both international and League One experience.
Pines spent the last two seasons with Barnsley and played 28 times, scoring four goals.
The 27-year-old has also won two international caps for the United States and is now looking for a new club after Barnsley opted not to extend his contract.
Kris Moore
Reading have put their faith in young centre halves across the last few seasons and this youngster has the potential to step up to senior football
Leeds United have made the decision to release the 21-year-old who will now be searching for a new club.
Despite lacking in senior experience, Moore played 13 times for Leeds U21s in Premier League 2 last season.
Jonathan Tomkinson
The 23-year-old defender has spent time in League Two on two separate loan spells after not quite making the grade for Championship Norwich City.
After a stint with Stevenage he then made 23 appearances for Bradford City in 2023/24 and spent the second-half of last season on loan with Scottish Premiership side Ross County.
He will now be available on a free transfer with Ross County reportedly interested in signing him permanently, but a potential move to Reading could prove more attractive if on the table.
Tom McIntyre
It’s clear that things haven’t worked out smoothly for him since departing Reading in January 2024.
Having been in the academy since 2008 and then going on to make more than 100 appearances in the first-team, McIntyre left for Portsmouth but struggled for game time and form.
He made just 13 league appearances for Pompey before being sent out on loan to Charlton Athletic for the back end of last season where he played 10 times.
With Portsmouth still in the Championship he is likely to be surplus to requirements and could be sent out on loan again which could present an opportunity for Reading to bring the 25-year-old defender back to the club.
