Reading FC should return to Arsenal to fill void left by departing attacker: View | OneFootball

Some players are out of contract and former loanees have returned to their parent clubs, leaving Ruben Selles with a big job to do within a limited budget this summer.

A takeover needs to be finalised before they can go ahead and sign players, but the Royals' recruitment team are already likely to be ramping up their preparations for the transfer window by identifying targets and transfer-listing those who are now surplus to requirements at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

The left-hand side was problematic at times during the 2023/24 campaign.

At left-back, Clinton Mola struggled during the early stages of the season, Nesta Guinness-Walker was frozen out of Selles' plans and Matty Carson was unable to prove his worth defensively after being given a chance to thrive in the first team.

Thankfully for the Royals, Jeriel Dorsett has been a fairly good option there, but he isn't a long-term solution at left-back, with the defender more suited to a central position.

Reading FC's problem on the left wing

The left wing was also an issue. Femi Azeez was a regular starter on the right, but no one could fully nail down a starting place on the left.

Dom Ballard played there before suffering a season-ending injury, Paul Mukairu didn't show the quality that he's capable of, Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan was a better option to have off the bench and Ben Elliott was clearly suited to a central midfield role.

Ehibhatiomhan is perhaps the best option out of those players mentioned, but new left-wingers will be required when the summer window opens.

Mamadi Camara can operate there, but with Azeez's contract in Berkshire coming to an end this summer, that could mean that the former is required on the right.

Fellow youngster Adrian Akande can also play on the wing, but he probably isn't ready to be heavily involved next season considering he's yet to make his senior debut.

Reading FC should consider Charles Sagoe Jr approach

With new signings needed, the Royals will need to be clever, with the club remaining under a transfer embargo at this stage.

This means heavy utilisation of the loan and free-agent markets will be required this summer - and the Berkshire side have used both fairly well in recent windows.

They already have a relationship with Arsenal following the January loan addition of Zane Monlouis.

Monlouis' game time at the SCL Stadium was extremely limited, but the Gunners could potentially be willing to loan out a player or two to the Royals if they are going to be guaranteed game time in Berkshire.

The SCL Stadium isn't too far away from the Gunners, so loaning players to the Royals could be convenient for Mikel Arteta's side.

Charles Sagoe Jr is a left winger that the Royals need to be eyeing ahead of the summer, even though his loan stay at Swansea City hasn't worked out for the best.

Looking at Sagoe Jr, he is exactly the sort of player that Selles and other key footballing figures, including Mark Bowen, should be looking to recruit.

He's young, hungry and will have a point to prove following a disappointing spell at the Swansea.com Stadium.

Sagoe Jr has impressed at an academy level though and was highly rated enough at the Emirates Stadium to be given his debut by Arteta, starting in an EFL Cup game against Brentford for the Gunners earlier this term.

At an academy level, he has recorded nine goals and 10 assists in 44 appearances for the Gunners' U23 team.

That is an impressive record and if he can replicate that at League One level, he could be a magnificent asset for the Royals if he joins.

The Berkshire club reportedly had an interest in the player back in January - and it wouldn't be a surprise to see them reignite this interest during the upcoming window.

Because of the Royals' lack of wing options, the Gunners' man's arrival wouldn't even block the path of others, including Camara and Akande.

And he may not kick up a fuss if he doesn't start every week, considering he has barely featured for the Swans.

Not only this, but he will probably have the opportunity to compete in more games if he moves down to the third tier, with EFL Trophy games needing to be played, so this potential switch could be a good move for all parties.