News and Views

Reading Hang On To Knibbs And Azeez As Monlouis Joins

02 February 2024
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Reading saw Caylan Vickers and Taylan Harris depart on transfer deadline day, but there was a feeling of relief as Femi Azeez's expected transfer to Plymouth Argyle didn't go through. The Royals also managed to retain Knibbs, Smith and Wing who were also the subject of rumours about possible transfers away from Reading. Vickers and Harris joined McIntyre and Abbey as young Academy graduates moving on in the transfer window. With Guinness-Walker also moving to Stevenage on loan, the Royals are left with a much depleted squad, and lacking options in defence.

However there was one piece of rare bright news as Reading were able to bring in Arsenal Under 21 defender Zane Monlouis on loan for the rest of the season. Twenty year old Monlouis will come to Reading to play his first senior football after signing professional terms with Arsenal in 2022. He is not a stranger to the Select Car Leasing Stadium after playing for Arsenal U21s in their Football League Trophy match against Reading in November. The Royals were 5-2 winners with Monlouis starting in defence for the Gunners and seeing his side ship four goals before being substituted with just over ten minutes left to play. Monlouis has plenty of youth football experience and has been captain of Arsenal's U21s.

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