2 Reading FC players who didn’t leave in January but could do in the summer

Reading will be pleased that the January transfer window closed as they were able to keep hold of a number of key players ahead of their relegation fight. 

The Royals needed to ensure they were able to retain a number of influential individuals going into the second half of the season as they battle against relegation. 

To make matters more difficult, there are a number of key players out of contract who the club could have easily cashed in on. 

They did however lose Andy Carroll who made a big impact in his short spell in Berkshire, but they did manage to shift two high earners in Liam Moore and George Puscas.

Neither player had a massive impact this season and Reading benefitted from Tom Ince arriving at the Select Car Leasing Stadium as part of the deal that took Liam Moore to Stoke. 

Let’s look at two who ended up remaining at the Royals but it could be another story in the summer.

John Swift

John Swift is the obvious one considering his form and influence this season, coupled with the playmaker being out of contract at the end of the season. Swift has 11 assists this season and is the current leader in the division for creativity, further enhancing his value to other sides come the end of the season. 

In addition, Swift seems to have been linked with a move away from Reading from several windows now, making a departure from Veljko Paunovic’s side inevitable. 

To add to the difficulties of convincing Swift to stay, Reading’s budget restrictions imposed on the club by the EFL as result of Profit and Sustainability breaches make renewing contracts difficult. 

Costs will need to be slashed and John Swift will almost certainly be a casualty of that come the summer.

Tom Holmes

The Reading academy graduate was heavily