Reading owner Rob Couhig has promised a busy summer at the Select Car Leasing Stadium as the Royals set their sights on challenging for promotion next season.
The Royals are set for a fourth successive campaign in League One after finishing 12th last season. It represented somewhat of a disappointment after briefly flirting with the play-off places throughout March before a six-game winless run saw them fall to mid-table.
Couhig is keen to take the club back to the Championship after Reading finally rid themselves of Dai Yongee a year ago. Although he’d have been keen to have achieved that this year, there’s little doubt that the building blocks have been put in place.
Still, the third tier is an incredibly difficult division to get out of and next season will be just as tough with the arrival of the likes of Leicester City and Sheffield Wednesday.
Couhig Promises ‘Several Additions’
Reading have a good core within their squad but struggled with consistency towards the end of the campaign. Therefore, it is imperative that they bolster their options this summer.
The Berkshire-based club had to watch both Lincoln City and Cardiff City seal promotion to the Championship on their own patch in April, which will have hurt. Next season, they will want to taste that success themselves.
Couhig knows that he will need to supply the answers and has promised to deliver, albeit with an air of caution. In an open letter to supporters, he said:
“We are working hard to strengthen the squad, improve every area that supports the first team and create the environment needed to compete at the top level of League One.
“I fully expect us to make several additions this summer that will make us stronger and more competitive.”
Continuing, the owner stated how difficult it will be under new EFL regulations, which state that only 50% of football income can be spent on player-related costs:
“In effect, only around half of every pound we contribute can be used to increase football spending.
“It is an unusual system, but it makes commercial growth and supporter revenue absolutely vital to building a stronger team.”
Could Sales Bolster Reading’s Budget?
One way in which Reading could aid their transfer budget is through player sales. Midfielder Charlie Savage remains their crown jewel and has attracted interest from the Championship over the past 12 months.
Oxford United were keen on acquiring his services in January and saw a £500,000 bid rejected. More recently, promoted duo Lincoln and Cardiff have been linked alongside League One newcomers Sheffield Wednesday.
The former Manchester United academy graduate has one year remaining on his contract and is reportedly available for around £800,000. It seems increasingly likely that he has played his last game at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
