Academy graduate may just have changed Reading FC's transfer plans: View | OneFootball

Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan has made an excellent start to the season on the wing - and this could have altered the Royals' transfer plans.

Reading need to strengthen a number of positions in their squad before the end of the summer transfer window.

Unfortunately, the Royals have been unable to make any signings this summer due to their ownership situation and although they have managed to secure four points from six in their opening two league games of the season, they are in desperate need of more depth in their squad.

Their first XI may be impressive on paper, but they currently have a centre-back and a midfielder playing at full-back for them and a striker playing on the wing.

Femi Azeez, Harvey Knibbs and Andy Yiadom's recent injuries reinforce the need for some additions to be made before the end of the window and it looks as though they will be able to head into the transfer market sooner rather than later, with Rob Couhig's takeover of the club now close to completion.

Their left-back area certainly needs to be looked at, with this area proving to be a problem for the Royals for a number of years now.

They also need another central defender, despite the emergence of Abraham Kanu, and it's a position that definitely needs looking at.

Another central midfielder to provide competition for the likes of Ben Elliott, Knibbs and Charlie Savage would also be ideal, but that position may be further down the club's list to strengthen, with other areas needing to be looked at right now.

The Royals' wing and striker departments are two areas that the club may also take a look at before the window closes.

However, some would argue that the club's wing area is in need of strengthening more at this point.

In the striker department, Sam Smith is the number-one choice at the moment and that's no surprise, with the academy graduate scoring 15 league goals last term despite spending the early stages of the 2023/24 campaign out injured.

Jayden Wareham is also available as an option and although he is yet to score his first senior goal for the Royals in a competitive game, he has shone for the academy and could be a useful first-team asset this term.

And Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan can play as a striker too, with that his natural position.

With the Royals only having a limited amount of time left before the window closes, and those three options available and other areas needing to be strengthened, some people would argue that the Royals don't need to sign another striker.

However, Ehibhatiomhan has improved massively since the end of last term, judging by his performances against Birmingham City and Wigan Athletic.

He was particularly good against the Latics, recording an excellent assist and finding himself in the right place at the right time to score the Royals' second goal in a 2-0 win.

His all-round performance was excellent and it wouldn't be a surprise if he continues to thrive in the coming weeks.

Although he can play as a striker, he has been much better on the wing during the latter stages of last term and the early stages of this season and that could persuade the Royals to keep him there for the 2024/25 campaign and potentially beyond, if he stays put.

Tying him down to a new contract has to be a key priority in the coming months.

With Ehibhatiomhan thriving on the wing and Wareham still inexperienced, it's clear that a new striker is needed, with the loan market potentially needing to be used to address that area.

And even with the Royals' number nine establishing himself as a very threatening wing option, the addition of another winger would be ideal, regardless of whether Femi Azeez (pictured above) stays or not, amid interest from Stoke City.

Adrian Akande may need more time in the academy to develop and with Azeez, Ehibhatiomhan and Mamadi Camara their only senior wing options at this point following Paul Mukairu and Dom Ballard's departures, a wide player or two will be required in the coming weeks.