READING FC boss Paul Clement is hoping to bring in an 'offensive player' before the loan window closes.

Royals manager hopes to add another attacker to his squad before the deadline on August 31 – having recently missed out on signing a central midfielder on a permanent deal.

Reading have already recruited two forwards this summer following the capture of Sam Baldock from Brighton and Marc McNulty from Coventry City.

Yakou Meite has also made a big impression since returning from his loan spell in France last season, opening his account for the campaign with a quality goal against Birmingham City in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.

But Yann Kermorgant (retired) and Joseph Mendes (AC Ajaccio) recently departed and Sam Smith has been loaned to Oxford United, leaving Clement slightly light up front.

Clement explained: “We tried to sign a player on a permanent deal for a central midfielder before the window shut, but couldn't do it.

"We've moved on from that, the focus has moved.

"Now I'm working with Brian Tevreden (director of football) and Ron Gourlay (chief executive) on bringing in another offensive player."

Reading Chronicle:

Yakou Meite scored a cracking goal against Birmingham on Tuesday night.

Clement would not reveal the identity of the central midfielder he had been chasing, but it is believed to be Swansea City’s Jay Fulton.

However, a move never materialised and it appears Fulton remains part of Graham Potter’s future plans having scored his first goal for the club in their 1-0 win at Preston last weekend.

Former Swans boss Clement added: "A permanent deal is for now and the future, whereas a loan is just for now.

"I would have preferred a younger midfielder, someone who could be here three or four years not six months.

"Now I want to do one more loan for an attacking player."

Reading sold George Evans to Derby County for an undisclosed fee recently but managed to hold on to defender Liam Moore who had been linked with a £10m move to Brighton.

However, Clement hinted there had been other interest in some of his players.

"Obviously we had Liam and there were some enquiries about our good players,” he added. "That's normal, they may want to see if you want to do something, but with Liam it was a definite 'no' because we're looking to build a squad.”

Meanwhile, Reading midfielder Pelle Clement is attracting interest from FC Zwolle in the Netherlands.

However, Clement says the 22-year-old midfielder will not be moving on.

"Maybe players will leave [before the loan window closes], it's possible.

"But I don't see anything happening with him [Pelle Clement]."