JAAP Stam is determined to bring success to Reading FC – but not at any cost.

Royals’ boss insists he has no intention of breaking the club’s wage structure in the relentless pursuit of glory.

The 44-year-old Dutchman revealed he turned down the chance to sign Ajax players in the summer because they were too expensive.

But he also argued he delivered good value for money in the transfer market after landing three players from Premier League clubs with the capture of John Swift from Chelsea, Tyler Blackett from Manchester United and Liam Moore from champions Leicester City.

“Reading must be creative in the transfer market,” stressed Stam. “We initially focused on the English players market, but Reading can’t pay five million euros for a signing.

“In addition, mediocre players at this level cost £30,000 a week in salary. We won’t do that.”

Stam masterminded a wholesale clear-out in the summer after signing a three-year contract with Reading in June following the sacking of Brian McDermott.

Eleven loan players had departed after Royals laboured to a 17th-place finish last season and Stam addressed the problem by making 11 signings of his own with Danzell Gravenberch, Joey van den Berg, Anssi Jaakkola, Joseph Mendes, Roy Beerens, Yakou Meite, Sando Wieser and Callum Harriott joining Blackett, Moore and Swift at Madejski Stadium.

However, former Ajax reserves coach Stam had no intention of breaking the bank and upsetting the club’s Thai owners.

And the ex-Manchester United centre-back says he believed he can get more out of the senior players already on Royals’ books when he arrived.

He told Dutch football magazine Voetbal International: “We also asked about some Ajax players but they were too expensive for us. So that for us was not an option.

“We can also get a lot more out of the experienced players already here than they have shown so far. That’s a great challenge.”

Stam is stamping his own football philosophy on the Reading squad, with his side currently eighth in the Championship table.

However, it is believed a new striker will be top of Stam’s wish-list when the transfer window reopens in January due to a lack of options up front.

“Perhaps we can get some targeted strengthening in the winter,” added Stam.

Meanwhile, Stam was hoping to have his full squad together for the first time in two weeks at today’s training session at Hogwood Park.

Skipper Paul McShane (Republic of Ireland), Chris Gunter (Wales), Danny Williams (USA), Sandro Wieser (Liechtenstein) and John Swift (England U21s) all come back from international duty after Stam gave those not in action last weekend time off to recharge their batteries.

Reading face a tough week of Championship fixtures with a hoops derby at QPR’s Loftus Road this Saturday (3pm) followed by a home clash against Aston Villa on Tuesday (8pm).

Aston Villa appointed Steve Bruce as their new manager last night. It is not known whether former Reading boss Steve Clarke will remain in a job at Villa Park after a short spell as their caretaker manager following the sacking of Roberto Di Matteo.