"We all know what's coming" - Bleak Reading FC transfer prediction issued | OneFootball

FLW's Reading fan pundit has given his view on the upcoming January transfer window at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

This article is part of Football League World’s 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

With the club's off-field issues continuing, it could be set to be a difficult January transfer window for Reading.

It has been another turbulent year for Reading, and after Rob Couhig's proposed takeover fell through at the last minute in September, they suffered a further devastating blow earlier this month as manager Ruben Selles departed for Hull City.

Noel Hunt was appointed as Selles' replacement, but he has endured a difficult start to his tenure, and while Yongge remains in exclusivity talks with a mystery prospective buyer, there is little sign of an imminent breakthrough in negotiations.

That has led to fears among Royals supporters that there could be a repeat of last season's January transfer window when a number of the club's biggest assets were sold for cut-price fees, and Hunt admitted that there is a "strong possibility" that he will lose some of his stars next month.

Midfielders Harvey Knibbs and Lewis Wing have both been linked with a move away from the Select Car Leasing Stadium, and as FLW exclusively revealed last week, Coventry City, Watford and Hull are all interested in defender Tyler Bindon.

When asked what he expects to happen at the club in January, FLW's Reading fan pundit Johnny Hunt said that departures of key players next month are inevitable, and he insisted that the only hope of all Royals supporters is to see the end of Yongge's disastrous tenure.

"I think I've said this before, but we're not like any other club where January is a positive transfer window with opportunities because Dai Yongge hasn't sold the club," Johnny said.

"That's our priority, getting rid of the owner, end of.

"I don't think it's going to happen in January and that's why Ruben Selles left, I think he knew what was coming, we all know what's coming, which is basically a fire sale of any talent we've got for a few quid.

"It's not good, it's depressing, but nobody seems to help.

"It's hard work to watch, especially when you've got such a good, young, exciting group of players that are punching above their weight despite all the issues off the pitch."

January transfer situation highlights need for Reading takeover

Unfortunately for Reading supporters, Johnny is likely right that departures are on the cards in the January transfer window.

While it has been a difficult start for Hunt after replacing Selles, the Royals remain just outside the play-off places in League One, and if they were able to keep hold of their stars and bring in a few quality additions, they could still have a chance of achieving a top six finish.

However, with no further progress on the takeover front, that is highly unlikely, and although Hunt seems to be prepared for what is to come, any exits could have a hugely damaging impact on the team, particularly with Selles no longer at the helm.

With the desperate off-field situation at the Select Car Leasing Stadium set to be highlighted again over the coming weeks, Yongge must agree a deal to sell the club as soon as possible, and the long-suffering Reading fan base will hope that there will be some positive news on the horizon in 2025.