Wrexham AFC blow - not Nottingham Forest deal - could define Reading FC’s season | OneFootball

Sam Smith's move to North Wales could have a real impact on the Royals, who didn't bring in an orthodox replacement.

Reading made two key sales during the January transfer window, with Sam Smith and Tyler Bindon securing exits from the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

Teenager Andre Garcia was also linked with a move away from Berkshire, with Premier League strugglers Southampton thought to have made bids for the youngster.

He was retained in the end, but Smith and Bindon both departed, with the former making the move away first, joining the Royals' League One rivals Wrexham.

Bindon, meanwhile, secured his switch to Nottingham Forest on deadline day, before being loaned back to Noel Hunt's side for the remainder of the 2024/25 campaign.

Sam Smith's move to Wrexham AFC could hurt Reading FC in the short-term

There were a few key players that supporters didn't want to lose during the January transfer window, having performed admirably throughout the 2024-25 season.

Joel Pereira was one of those players, along with Bindon, Lewis Wing, Harvey Knibbs and Smith.

Charlie Savage is another first-teamer who has become crucial - and has been particularly important since Ben Elliott's absence.

Fans didn't want to lose these players for different reasons, but the main reason was because of the Berkshire outfit's lack of depth in quite a few areas.

That's particularly relevant to Smith and the club's lack of options in their striker department.

With Dom Ballard leaving following the end of his loan spell at the end of last season, the club had even fewer options in this area going into this season, though their depth in this position has been an issue since their relegation to the third tier.

And with Smith now gone, they only have Jayden Wareham, Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan and new loan signing Billy Bodin - naturally more of a winger - as potential options.

Wareham, though he did very well against Bolton Wanderers last weekend, could benefit from a loan spell or two away from the SCL Stadium before he becomes a regular starter in Berkshire.

Bodin, meanwhile, is a versatile player, but isn't a natural central striker and it may be a risk to rely on him for the remainder of the campaign, especially with the attacker not having much game time under his belt recently.

This could make Ehibhatiomhan the best player to have as the centre-forward, but he has shown much more promise on the wing and the Royals may lose that threat from their left-hand side if he takes up a more central role.

The front three of Smith, Ehibhatiomhan and Campbell looked to be the dream attacking trio for the rest of the season, but the former is gone and he will be dearly missed.

Thriving last term during his first season back in Berkshire, he was able to build on that this season.

Often using his body well to link up play and already having a good relationship with Knibbs from their time together at Cambridge United, he was a vital asset for the Berkshire side.

And with the Royals not bringing in an orthodox replacement for him, they could miss him massively.

With Bindon coming back on loan, Smith's move will be more sorely felt in the short term.

And in the summer, the Royals may have the opportunity to replace Bindon if the club is sold, though that is a big if.

Losing the New Zealand international straight away would have been a major blow due to their current lack of depth at centre-back, with Amadou Mbengue out injured.

But Bindon's loan stay allows the Berkshire side to plan ahead for the summer, with a centre-back or two likely to be in their sights ahead of the summer.

A lot will depend on a takeover, but for now, Smith's departure will be more sorely felt, especially in the short term.