After overseeing a season of progress at the Madejski Stadium, Veljko Paunovic will be eager to make additions ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.

The Royals have already seen four senior players leave the club this summer but overall, there were no real surprises on the contracts front last month when the Championship side released a statement confirming who would be staying and who would be leaving the club on the expiry of their current deals.

Michael Morrison and Reading mutually agreed to trigger the 33-year-old's one-year contract extension, while former Brighton forward Sam Baldock, £7m signing Sone Aluko, goalkeeper Sam Walker and academy graduate Tennai Watson all left the club.

The retained list aside, Reading have endured a very quiet summer so far but will need to need to strengthen key areas if they want to remain in the top half of the Championship table.

Wingers, a defensive midfielder and a first choice left back to replace Omar Richards will be high on the Berkshire side's agenda, although it's currently unclear how much money Reading manager Veljko Paunovic will be able to spend in the next few months.

We take a look at two potential transfer developments we could see happen at the Madejski Stadium in the immediate future - and it looks to be mixed news for Royals supporters.

Besic to join on a free transfer?

Alfa Semedo has returned to Portuguese side Benfica following the expiration of his loan deal with the Royals, leaving Andy Rinomhota and Josh Laurent as the only senior options in defensive midfield.

Serbian teenager Dejan Tetek is another option Paunovic could utilise - but going into the season with just three options would leave the Royals vulnerable if injuries start to mount up.

Reading may not be able to spend a huge amount in the transfer market this summer though, especially in their current financial situation. But Mo Besic, who is available on a free transfer after leaving Everton, has been linked with a move to the Berkshire side multiple times and is a realistic target for the Royals to pursue.

The 28-year-old has enjoyed spells at Middlesbrough and Sheffield United in recent years - but wasn't able to nail down a place in Everton's first team squad and will probably look for a move to the Championship now he's a free agent. His wage demands could be the only problem for Reading.

 

 

McIntyre to depart?

With just weeks to go until central defender Tom McIntyre becomes a free agent, the Scottish youth international is yet to sign a new deal with the Royals and news surrounding his situation could be released at any point.

Contract negotiations between the club and McIntyre have been going on since the start of April at the very latest, leaving Reading fans feeling more and more worried about the prospect of him leaving - and the 22-year-old is unlikely to be short of contract offers if he departs this summer.

As a rising star at the club, his loss would be a major blow to the Royals having established himself as a first team regular over the past 12 months, even with fellow academy graduate also impressing in central defence last season.

However, if a reasonable deal is put on the table, McIntyre would be likely to sign it as a boyhood Reading fan. The Berkshire side's current financial situation may prevent such an offer from being made though - and supporters will be nervously waiting for news on his future.