Reading have only made one signing in this transfer window so far, bringing in young Everton goalkeeper Joao Virginia on loan for the 2019/20 season.

However, it's clear that Reading need to strengthen in central defence, in central midfield and in the striking department.

Nelson Oliveira will be a big miss for the Royals, who helped keep Reading in the second tier at the end of last season. Jon Dadi Bodvarsson has also left the club for Millwall.

Andy Rinomhota is one of the only defensive midfielders at the club, whilst Liam Moore is currently the sole senior centre back at the club after Matt Miazga's loan expired at the end of last season.

One player who could come in to fill the void in that central defensive area is 18-year-old Welsh international Ethan Ampadu.

The youngster started his career at Exeter City, coming through their youth system, before signing a contract with Chelsea a couple of years ago after impressing the Blues.r

Even though Chelsea are currently under a transfer embargo, Ampadu currently faces stiff competition from Antonio Rudiger, Cesar Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Andreas Christiensen, Kurt Zouma and Fikayo Tomori in the central defensive area.

The Stamford Bridge side will be looking for the young defender to fulfil his potential. Senior first-team football will help Ampadu's progression and Reading are just one side who are currently linked with a loan move for the centre back, according to Courtney Friday.

Reading are also currently under a softer version of a transfer embargo themselves and a loan move for Ampadu is unlikely to be expensive.

Chelsea may even been willing to pay a large portion of his wages, on the condition that the Royals play him regularly.

Here are two pros and two cons to Reading sealing a loan move for Ethan Ampadu....

Pro: He can play in a number of positions that Reading need covering

It's clear to Reading supporters that the club needs a centre back and at least two central midfielders in order for the club to be able to compete in the 2019/20 season.

Whilst Ampadu mainly operates as a centre back, a position he played regularly at Exeter City, he can also play in central midfield, another position that Reading need to address in this transfer window. This is something they have not currently done.

Andy Rinomhota will play a big part in the upcoming season. However, he needs a defensive shield next to him in the centre of midfield if he is to perform above expectations again next season. Ampadu could provide this shield when he's not required in central defence.

Pro: He will have a lot to prove to Frank Lampard

As mentioned above, Chelsea are currently under a transfer embargo. This has meant that Chelsea have not been able to strengthen in central defence this window.

Kurt Zouma is not guaranteed to stay at the club, Azpilicueta could be deployed as a full-back again, David Luiz may be required in central midfield and Fikayo Tomori may not be deemed as good enough just yet.

This could allow Ampadu to fight for a centre back spot at Chelsea next summer before any new arrivals come in. One way he can do this is to impress those at Stamford Bridge whilst he's on loan.

It can only help Reading, who will have a player on their books who is very hungry to succeed. This will be needed for the Royals, who face another relegation fight this season.

Con: The cry for experienced players will grow louder

The squad was already very inexperienced at Reading before 19-year-old Joao Virginia's loan move to Reading. The Championship side are currently reliant on a lot of their youth players after transfer listing quite a few members of their senior squad.

Reading are in need of more experience to be injected in to the squad. However, the only other likely signing that could happen at Reading in the next couple of days is trialist Denzeil Boadu, who is only 22. Ampadu is even younger, at 18.

If the club do not recruit more experienced players in the transfer market, the Royals face another tough season in the Championship. The signing of Ampadu won't bring any sort of experience to the Madejski Stadium.

Con: Loans, loans and more loans

Even though the five loan signings that Reading made in January worked out very successfully, the club will want to try and make permanent signings for the sake of the long-term stability of the first team squad.

Even though Financial Fair Play is currently causing problems, they could go in to the free agent market and pick up some quality players, providing that wage demands are not too high. The signing of Boadu could be an example of this.

Reading will be praying that the failed loan signings of 2015/16 including: Ola John, Matej Vydra, Lucas Piazon and Alex Fernandez will not turn out anything similar to the loan signings that the Berkshire side bring in this season.