Update emerges on Reading FC’s pursuit of Swansea City target

Championship outfit Reading are unlikely to sign Gillingham centre-back Jack Tucker this summer, according to an update from Berkshire Live.

The defender’s contract at Neil Harris’ side expires this summer and seems likely to move on in the coming months amid interest from elsewhere, with league rivals Swansea City and League One side Charlton Athletic also believed to have Tucker on their radar.

Offered a new contract by his current side, the Gills would be entitled to compensation if he was to move on, potentially causing the Royals problems in terms of finances as they look set to continue operating within a strict budget during this summer and throughout the 2022/23 campaign.

They are required to work within this budget as part of a business plan they agreed with the EFL last November after breaching profitability and sustainability rules.

And Berkshire Live have revealed the Royals and the Gills were unable to come to an agreement on a compensation package for the 22-year-old, ruling the former out of the race for his signature.

However, this is an area they may still want to address in the coming months with Tom McIntyre moving into midfield, Michael Morrison yet to be offered a new contract, Tom Holmes yet to sign fresh terms and Terrell Thomas being released.

The Verdict:

This may have been a decent signing for the Royals who have benefitted from taking a punt on players in the lower leagues in the past, including Josh Laurent who has become of the Royals’ most important players.

He would have also helped to give the Berkshire outfit’s defence a shake-up after seeing them concede the joint-most league goals in the second tier during the 2021/22 campaign, potentially giving them the option to switch to a back