One winner and one loser at Reading FC if they secure transfer for ex-Premier League player

Championship outfit Reading are weighing up a move for Queens Park Rangers forward Charlie Austin, according to Football Insider.

The 32-year-old has been released on the expiration of his contract at Loftus Road and with that, the Royals are able to directly engage in negotiations with the former Southampton striker regarding a potential move to the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

However, it’s currently unclear whether they will be able to meet his wage demands with Paul Ince’s side working within an EFL business plan this summer and throughout the 2022/23 campaign. This plan means they will need to work within a tight budget and that will be difficult considering how many players they need to recruit in the coming months.

In a good bit of news for them though, Austin lives in the local area and is thought to be open to a move to the second-tier side despite being released by the Royals earlier on in his career.

Scoring seven goals in 38 competitive appearances last term, that isn’t the sort of record that can make the 32-year-old an adequate replacement for someone like Lucas Joao – but his experience could be valuable to the cause in the Berkshire outfit’s quest to remain afloat in the division once again.

Not everyone will be winners from this potential deal though and with that in mind, we take a look at one winner and one loser at the club if an agreement for the forward materialises.

Winner: George Puscas

Although he still has two years left on his contract, Puscas ideally needs to go this summer for his own sake as much as anyone else’s because his move to the club hasn’t worked out.

The 26-year-old doesn’t shine when playing on his own up front and with Ince unlikely to switch to a front two, he would be more of a