News and Views
Busy Week For Transfers At Reading
08 August 2019
By Hob Nob Anyone?
It has been a very busy week for the Royals in the transfer market ahead of the window closing. The Royals have unexpectadly dramatically increased the depth of their squad with a series of big signings of International players. We will head into our second game of the season with a much improved squad and with plenty of options available to manager Jose Gomes as he looks to keep us clear of another relegation battle this season.
Earlier this week we signed striker Lucas Joao from Sheffield Wednesday on a four year contract, goalkeeper Rafael Cabral Barbosa who joins on a three year contract after leaving Sampdoria and Monaco's midfielder Pele on a season long loan. If that wasn't dramatic enough George Puscas has signed from Inter Milan on a five year contract and a big money transfer fee as Reading suddenly found plenty of available funds to make what can only be described as quality signings.
Lucas Joao arrives at Reading shortly after the club confirmed the arrival of forward player Lucas Boye who arrives from Tornio for the season. Lucas Joao is well known to Reading fans after scoring in injury time on Saturday during Sheffield Wednesday's opening day victory at the Madejski Stadium. Joao is a Portugal international and scored 29 goals in 128 appearances for the Owl's after signing four years ago from Portuguese side Nacional.
Goalkeeper Rafael could turn into a massively important signing for Reading after we have struggled to have a consistant goalkeeper since the departure of Ali Al Habsi. Twenty nine year old Rafael has played three times for Brazil but struggled to get into the team at Sampdoria who were willing to let him leave despite time remaining on his contract.
Monaco's Pele was at Nottingham Forest last season and has been sent out on loan again from his parent club Monaco. He appears to be another player known to Gomes, born in Portugal and playing in Portgual for Belenenses before a move to Monaco.
Yesterday's signing George Puscas feels like the icing on the cake of a successful transfer window. Twenty three year old Romanian Puscas has already collected eight caps for his country and signs on a huge five year contract in a clear indication of his potential future value.
With Puscas coming in, highly rated youngster Danny Loader now looks set to join Wolves after failing to agree a new contract with Reading.
Meanwhile Sam Smith and Marc McNulty have gone out on loan for the season and David Meyler has been confirmed as leaving the club. The lists of incoming and outgoing players have become lengthy as it's all change this season at the Madejski Stadium:
Players Signed
- George Puscas (Inter Milan - Five year contract)
- Pele (Monaco - Loan)
- Rafael Cabral Barbosa (Sampdoria - Three year contract)
- Lucas Joao (Sheffield Wednesday - Four year contract)
- Lucas Boye (Torino - Loan)
- Joao Virginia (Everton - Loan)
- Michael Morrison (Released by Birmingham - Free)
- Charlie Adam (Released by Stoke City - Free)
- Matt Miazga (Chelsea - Loan)
Departing Players
- David Meyler (Contract terminated)
- Sam Smith (Cambridge - season long loan)
- Marc McNulty (Sunderland - season long loan)
- Jon Dadi Bodvarsson (Millwall)
- Liam Kelly (Feyenoord)
- Joey van den Berg (NEC Nijmegen)
- Anssi Jaakkola (Bristol Rovers)
- Danzell Gravenberch (released)
- Paul McShane (released)
- John O'Shea (retired)
- Callum Harriott (released)
- George Legg (released)
- Matt Miazga (end of loan)
- Lewis Baker (end of loan)
- Saeid Ezatolahi (end of loan)
Discussion On This Story:
WestYorksRoyal
However, if his agent is advising him and he's set all we can do is hold out for a good fee involving guaranteed cash. Not structured in extras and sell-ons; he will spend several years getting loans then be sold back to the Championship.
Snowflake Royal
If we're selling, we should get at least what we paid for Puscas. When you factor in the English price inflation factor.
Sutekh
Is that unwilling to sign again or just unwilling to sign the deal offered, if the latter, isn’t that called negotiation?
Hope he doesn’t leave as at 18 he’s got a bright future and is going to get first team football at Reading with some top coaching but then even at 18 you have to consider the £s offered and a chance that might not come again even if It’d be a couple of years playing a minor bit part in cup games and going out on loan.
NotARacist
Is that unwilling to sign again or just unwilling to sign the deal offered, if the latter, isn’t that called negotiation?
Hope he doesn’t leave as at 18 he’s got a bright future and is going to get first team football at Reading with some top coaching but then even at 18 you have to consider the £s offered and a chance that might not come again even if It’d be a couple of years playing a minor bit part in cup games and going out on loan.
It read as unwilling to sign again. Could be agent talk.
Oilroyal
If you look at the situation objectively from the club, player and agents’ point of view. Wolves will be a good option for all concerned. They can afford to development Loader over a longer period then we can. They can buy him, loan him out, maybe a European loan this year and then a bottom half Championship club next year. Within 2 to 3 seasons Loader could be ready, he'll be at the right age and experience to command a big move or a place in a PL starting 11.
I’m certain by deadline we’ll read “to Wolves, fee undisclosed” which means something like £2m up front + development stage payments + a sell on / number of first team apps clause
Stranded
Yep, will be surprised if this one doesn't go through. Think it's a mistake for his career if he does as best he can hope for this year is a loan (not to us) or U23 games. Can easily see him being there for 2 or 3 years and moving back down to the Championship - won't be around the first team there and if Wolves continue to push top 6, not sure he'll make the breakthrough but good luck to him if he does go.
Basildon
Yep, will be surprised if this one doesn't go through. Think it's a mistake for his career if he does as best he can hope for this year is a loan (not to us) or U23 games. Can easily see him being there for 2 or 3 years and moving back down to the Championship - won't be around the first team there and if Wolves continue to push top 6, not sure he'll make the breakthrough but good luck to him if he does go.
Shame to see him go as he's obviously got bags of potential. Didn't really perform last season but then that was in a struggling team. Would have been nice to see how he got on this year in a (hopefully) improved team.
Nameless
- he’s not had the impact expected, but he’s very young and expectations were probably too high
- if we get a fee that pays for Puscas then that is a good exchange (subject to Puscas delivering)
- while you feel some of the youngsters really want to play for the club. McIntyre, Barrett, Holmes, Howe really seem to have an emotional connection. I’ve never quite got that from Loader
- Olise. Loader moving would push him further up the pecking order and to be honest he’s looked the better player in his appearances so far
I’d prefer Loader to stay and become a star here but if he goes I don’t think it will be at all the end of the world.
From Despair To Where?
Sessegnon about to go for 25 million in last year of contract. Higher profile so higher fee but to drop down to 5m? That's a lot.
We are talking about the Ryan Sessegnon who is the same age as Loader but has 5 times as many first team appearances and has a goalscoring rate of 1 in 5 despite being wing back?
I'd take £2m plus add ons for Loader. He'll walk next summer for £1.5m tops.
Snowflake Royal
I'd love him to make it here, but a sale would make me a lot more comfortable with our recent spending and Danny is one of the players we could get decent money for and most easily do without. He's hardly made himself central to the team, despite his quality and potential.
SCIAG
Hopefully this helps with FFP, gives Olise more game time, and we get 30% of £50m in three years. Wolves is surely a good place for him to develop.
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