Reading finished the 2015/16 campaign in a desperately disappointing 17th position in the Sky Bet Championship, which simply won’t do for their dedicated bunch of supporters.

It wasn’t so long ago that the Royals were mixing it with the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool in the Premier League, yet finding their way back to the top-flight has proved tricky since relegation in 2013.

A lot of money was spent on high-profile signings last summer by former boss Steve Clarke but unfortunately for their supporters, things didn’t quite go according to plan on the field and the Royals won just 13 of their 46 Championship fixtures.

Former promotion winning manager Brian McDermott has been handed the task of reviving the club’s fortunes and in order to strengthen in the summer, he might be forced to wave goodbye to certain players too.

Football League World writer Lee Clarke takes a look at THREE players who could be sold by Reading during the summer months....

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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE THREE PLAYERS!

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Oliver Norwood

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The 25-year-old looks set to depart Reading during the summer months, amid interest from clubs within the Premier League.

Bournemouth have expressed a keen desire to take the central midfielder to the Vitality Stadium, and a move could happen during the forthcoming transfer window.

The 25-year-old has played 81 times for the Royals since arriving from Huddersfield Town back in 2014 and his absence will be felt if he is sold in the summer.

A former Manchester United trainee, Norwood possesses all the attributes of a solid Championship midfielder and given his age he has ample chance to develop into a good Premier League player too.

 

Danny Williams

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United States international Williams possesses the ability to be one of Reading’s standout performers on any given day, although he doesn’t seem to perform on a consistent basis.

Since signing for the Royals in 2013 he has played close to 100 games for the club, but all too often he has been found lacking when it comes to gaining any real level of consistency.

Many fans feel that Williams is a frustrating player to have in the squad, and if boss Brian McDermott shares those sentiments, the German-born midfielder could find himself on his way out of the club.

Williams could get one more chance to perform on a regular basis during next season but at 27-years-old, the time is now for him to start proving his worth to the Royals.

Jake Cooper

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Cooper is a product of the Reading youth academy and during the 2015/16 campaign he featured for the first-team 24 times, putting in a series of top class performances.

His stunning form at the heart of the Royals’ defence has drawn interest from the top flight and potential suitors could be weighing-up moves for the youngster.

The 21-year-old is rated highly by the football club although a bid of the right valuation could potentially see the Royals do business in the summer.

It would be a shame for the club to lose such a talent after just 39 games in a Reading shirt, but if the money gained could be used to bolster the squad, then it might just be an option to think about for the club’s hierarchy.