Reading has enquired about signing defender Reece Welch on loan from Premier League side Everton as the Royals hope to add more personnel to their squad with the club takeover imminent.
The League One side has not signed any players in the 2024 summer transfer window. This lack of activity follows a transfer embargo enforced by the EFL, while the club have not been able to make signings as the Rob Couhig takeover is still incomplete.
However, Reading continues to be linked with players throughout the window, in the hope they can sign players once the takeover is complete. The latest target to emerge on the Berkshire club’s radar is Everton centre-back Reece Welch, as reported by Football Insider.
Welch has Football League experience and he made 23 appearances on loan at Forest Green last season, per Transfermarkt. The defender was recalled by the Toffees after just six months at the New Lawn. Welch has also represented England at under-20 level and played four times for the national youth team.
In addition, Everton seemingly wants to give their highly-rated youngster more first-team experience. He featured throughout pre-season but was not involved in Sean Dyche’s matchday squad in Everton’s 3-0 loss to Brighton on Saturday.
It has been a testing time for Ruben Selles and Reading regarding transfer activity in the past two seasons. Since his appointment in June 2023, the Spanish Head Coach has relied heavily on promoting youth players and free-agent signings. Moreover, Reading lost key senior players from last season earlier in the summer transfer market, including Femi Azeez and Clinton Mola.
Wrtier’s View
Judging from the opening two League One matches, Reading will likely stick with Amadou Mbengue and Tyler Bindon as the starting centre-back pairing. The Royals earned four solid points from a 1-1 draw at Birmingham and a 2-0 home win over Wigan in their opening fixtures. As a result, there seems no reason why Selles would alter his defence too much.
Reading’s links with Welch may suggest that the club wants further depth in the central defence area. Jeriel Dorsett has been preferred at left-back, leaving 33-year-old Harlee Dean as the backup central defender. Welch’s arrival would be a solid addition with Selles needing greater depth if Reading wants to maintain a strong start to the campaign.
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