Jem Karacan sends clear contract plea to Reading FC on key player

Former Reading midfielder Jem Karacan has urged his former side to get centre-back Tom Holmes tied down to a new contract in the coming months, speaking candidly in an interview with the Reading Chronicle.

The 22-year-old has been a regular starter for the Royals this term, being heavily involved again after making his breakthrough during the 2020/21 campaign but mainly operating in his more orthodox position in the centre this season.

He has suffered dips in confidence and has been part of the second-worst defence in the Championship this season as things stand – but has shone in many games and many supporters will be hoping he remains at the Select Car Leasing Stadium for the foreseeable future.

Unfortunately for those who want him to stay put, his contract runs out at the end of the season and it’s currently unclear whether he will put pen to paper on fresh terms, though he was thought to be keen on extending his stay.

However, the Royals need to abide by a strict budget and business plan after breaching the EFL’s profitability and sustainability rules, meaning the club will only be able to offer him a limited salary.

Despite this, former Royal Karacan believes the second-tier outfit need to treat the centre-back as a summer priority in their quest to retain key players, especially with Nottingham Forest said to have bid for him last summer.

He said: “A massive part of the club is the academy. You can see that with [Tom] McIntyre and [Tom] Holmes, who is probably a future captain. It could be like me and [Alex Pearce] Pearcey vying for being the skipper.

“You’ve got two people there who are set up to lead the club for the next 10 years. You need to get Holmes signed up; he’s had an incredible season.

“He’s had ups and