Reading FC have been offered the chance to re-sign former defender Adrian Mariappa according to journalist Courtney Friday. 

Mariappa is currently a free-agent, having left Watford in the summer of 2020, and is seemingly keen to find a new club at the earliest of opportunities.

The defender made 23 appearances in all competitions for the Hornets last season, but his efforts weren't able to stop Watford from being relegated from the Premier League.

Mariappa had previously been on the books with Reading whilst they were in the top-flight themselves, but left the club in favour of a move to Crystal Palace in 2013.

Reading have struggled for a positive run of results in recent seasons, but seem to be heading in the right direction under the new management of Veljko Paunovic.

The Royals have won their opening four league matches this term, which means they currently sit second in the Championship table.

But the Berkshire-based side have already added the likes of Tomas Esteves and Lewis Gibson to their defensive ranks this summer, which means that it seems unlikely that the club will make a move for Mariappa anytime soon.

Reading are set to return to action this weekend, when they take on Middlesbrough, in what is likely to be a tricky test against Neil Warnock's side at the Riverside.

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The Verdict: 

They really don't need another defender.

I'm all for adding depth to a team, but Reading are already stacked with options in defence, and Mariappa's arrival would only push the likes of Tom McIntyre and Tom Holmes down the pecking order at the Madejski Stadium.

I'm not convinced Mariappa would be a regular starter with the Royals either, as they already have some strong options available to them at this moment in time.

This would be a wasted move for both parties involved.