Royals boss gives insight into club's transfer policy and how they landed Latvia striker

Royals boss openly admitted the 23-year-old striker has been brought in by the club's Thai owners rather than himself.

Royals have agreed a fee in the region of £400,000 with Polish side Cracovia Kraków for Rakels, who could be unveiled before Saturday's FA Cup fourth-round tie against Walsall at Madejski Stadium (3pm ko).

McDermott, who asked ex-Royals skipper Kaspars Gorkss for the lowdown on Rakels, revealed: “We're in talks with another striker at this moment in time. We'll see what happens.”

And when questioned whether it was Rakels, he replied: “Could be, it's a possibility.

“This has come from the Reading owners who know the player.

“We used My.SCOUT which enables you to watch a player. He works his socks off and he has a good track record of scoring in Poland this season.

“I also spoke with Kaspars Gorkss, his captain at Latvia, and he also gave me a good insight into the player.

“If the deal is done then great, he will come into our squad.”

While some managers insist on having the final say over transfers, McDermott says he has no problem with Reading's owners signing new players.

“Let me tell you how it is in 2016,” he declared. “Managers can say whatever they like, but I know the real story.

“Scouts bring players in, owners bring them in, committees bring them in and managers bring them in. That's how it works.

“We all have to work together. If an owner fancies a player, then great. It's not a problem for me.”

The former Leeds United boss added: “I've learned a lot in the last few years about how things work.

“I look at him [Rakels] and what he can bring. He's an international player and he's someone we can work with, so it's great that he's coming.

“Did I know him? No, but I know a lot more about him now.”

Rakels will become Reading third January signing following the £500,000 capture of Yann Kermorgant from Bournemouth and the arrival of George Evans from Manchester City on a free.

But McDermott, who missed out on Conor Washington when he left Peterborough for QPR for £2.5m recently, continued: “This is very much how things work in this day and age.

“Obviously I knew Yann and George really well and there are two or three more I know really well who I would like to sign.

“I knew Conor Washington really well and I would have liked to have signed him, but we couldn't do that deal.

“That's how it works in management. We all have to work together which is really important.”

McDermott has also handed a trial to 27-year-old Spanish midfielder Javier Matilla, who is a free agent.

But he ruled out a swoop for Walsall's highly-rated striker, Tom Bradshaw, who is set to line up against Reading in the FA Cup this Saturday.

“I know Tom but he isn't on our radar,” said Royals' boss.

McDermott has been re-shaping his squad during the transfer window having sold Nick Blackman to Derby County for around £4m.

Reading's marquee signing last summer, Orlando Sa, ended a frustrating spell that saw him make just 21 appearances by joining Maccabi Tel Aviv for an undisclosed fee yesterday.

Another summer flop, Paolo Hurtado, is set to join Portuguese club Guimaraes on loan, after playing just 150 minutes for the Royals.

McDermott expanded on his decision to let go of Sa, who cost around £1.2m when ex-boss Steve Clarke bought him from Legia Warsaw.

“Yann came through the door and it was a good deal for the club,” he argued.

“I had to make a call. He's got a bit opportunity with Maccabi and all the best to him.

“I don't think it's about me giving him a chance at Reading. As a manager you have to make a call.

“Sometimes players just don't work out, whether it's because of the manager, the scout or the owners. It's how football is.

“You can get into all sorts of politics about this.

“I am working with the owners, Nick Hammond [director of football] and all the staff for the best of the football club.

“I look at things open mindedly and if we sign Deniss for example, he will be embraced by us all because we want him to do really, really well.

“It's the same with George Evans, Yann Kermorgant or anyone else who comes through the door.”

McDermott also confirmed young striker Dominic Samuel is likely to extend his loan with Gillingham until the end of the season.