Reading are facing a vital period in their season in the next few weeks and they will be hoping to put further distance between themselves and the bottom three ahead of the winter window.

The Royals have been disrupted by a six-point deduction for breaching the EFL’s profitability and sustainability rules and were unable to conduct much transfer business in the summer due to a related transfer embargo. That means that Reading are currently just five points clear of the relegation places heading into the festive period.

As well as the six points that they have been deducted this term, Reading also have a further six points suspended until the end of next season. That means they have to still watch the amount of transfer business they do in terms of their expenditure.

One potential way Reading can move more in line with the EFL’s profitability and sustainability rules is by selling players in the transfer market. That is something that we could see come into play during the forthcoming winter window.

With that in mind, we take a look at TWO players Reading might potentially allow to leave in the winter window…

John Swift

One player that could be set to leave Reading in the January transfer window is midfielder John Swift. He has been in excellent form for the Royals so far this term, with him firing home an impressive eight goals and providing nine assists in his 21 Championship appearances.

Swift is heading into the final few months of his current deal with Reading and his contract situation and form so far this season has unsurprisingly attracted the attention of other clubs ahead of the winter window.

The likes of Norwich City, Crystal Palace, Wolves, Leeds United and Burnley are all reported to be interested in trying to negotiate a deal with the Royals for him in January.

Considering the midfielder’s contract situation, Reading might be forced to cash in on Swift in January if one of the interested parties comes in with a reasonable offer for his services.

It would be a huge loss for Veljko Paunovic’s side but it would at least provide the club with some funds to strengthen the squad in the winter window if they are allowed to invest in the squad.

It does seem likely that Swift will be leaving Readin within the next two transfer windows so it might be best for the Royals to at least get some money for him in January.

 

 

George Puscas

One player that Reading overspent on during this period that has caused them to get into trouble with the EFL was George Puscas, with the forward arriving at the club for a reported fee of around £7.5 million.

He has failed to live up to that price tag for the Royals though and he has only managed to score one league goal in 20 appearances so far this term.

There is clearly a talented player in there and Puscas has continued to be an important member of Paunovic’s squad this term. However, the Royals might decide that it is time to try and recoup some money for him during the winter transfer window.

It would be interesting to see whether Puscas would attract any potential suitors but you would imagine that there will be one or two clubs abroad that would take an interest if he was made available.

It does seem a lot less likely than Swift that Puscas could leave in January, but Reading might seem him as one player on their books who they can bring in some money for and get off the wage bill to align themselves better with EFL’s profitability and sustainability rules.