Reading are on course to lose yet another player this window with a Premier League club seeking a deal for youngster Caylan Vickers.
A product of The Royals’ academy, the 19-year-old made his breakthrough to the first-team squad this season, making 22 appearances and scoring three times across all competitions.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that the striker is set to leave to join Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion, and will have a medical today. Guardian Sport reporter Will Unwin also added that Vickers was attracting interest from Spanish giants Real Madrid.
It will be a double move for Albion, as they are set to also secure the signature of Sunderland attacking midfielder Josh Robertson, according to Sky Sports News. The 18-year-old has been based at the Academy of Light for the duration of his career.
Reading’s number 42 came through the ranks at the Berkshire club, making his debut in a cameo appearance against Peterborough United on August 5. He has one goal and assist this season, against Bolton Wanderers and Millwall respectively.
The League One club have struggled to retain players over recent weeks, with already two departures this window in Nelson Abbey to Olympiacos, and Thomas Holmes to Luton Town, but has since been reloaned back to the Madejski Stadium.
Several players are still under transfer speculation as the window edges closer to its end, with Darren Witcoop reporting that Harvey Knibbs, Sam Smith and Femi Azeez could also depart before 11 pm.
Writer’s View
Reading are in a tough situation both on and off the pitch, and with the rumoured departures with only hours left on the transfer clock, it could get much worse. Caylan Vickers is a real exciting prospect for The Royals but it seems that in order to raise more cash, the club is seemingly going to sell the 19-year-old.
Brighton have gained a deserved reputation in developing young talents over the past five years, with Facundo Buonanotte being a prime example of a forward who has come good for The Seagulls. Vickers has been deployed across the frontline during his spell for Reading, and with injuries to Ansu Fati and Solly March, perhaps we could see the youngster in a Premier League matchday squad in the near future.
