JAAP Stam has urged Reading FC bosses to put their hands in their pockets as the club continues to try and strike a deal for long-term target and Huddersfield striker Nahki Wells.

It was revealed last week that Royals are chasing Terriers’ forward Wells, who has a year remaining on his contract in West Yorkshire.

Reports emerged that Reading were preparing a £10m swoop for the frontman, who scored 10 goals for David Wagner’s men in the Championship last season.

And Wagner confirmed he would be prepared to listen to any offers which landed on his desk for the 27-year-old Bermudian hitman.

Reading Chronicle:

Royals have been linked with Huddersfield's Nahki Wells. Picture: Stephen White/CameraSport

Royals face a striking crisis after veteran forward Yann Kermorgant was ruled out for the start of the upcoming season.

Joseph Mendes also faces a spell on the side-lines while Deniss Rakels and Dominic Samuel have both left the club.

Reading have already secured the services of Icelandic international forward Jon Dadi Bodvarsson but the 25-year-old limped off in yesterday’s (Saturday) friendly against Vitesse Arnhem.

And Stam revealed it is in the club’s directors hands if Royals will sign a new striker before Saturday’s Championship opener against Queens Park Rangers.

“Nahki Wells is one of the names that we have been looking at,” stated Stam.

“It’s not up to me if we can bring certain players in. We have a list of several players that we would like to bring in to help us out and make a difference.

“It’s up to the man upstairs to bring those players in.

“Teams know that we have new owners and we finished third in the league last season so they think we can compete with the top teams (in terms of finance).

“But we can’t pay the same amount in wages as other clubs can.”

Meanwhile, Stam also revealed Royals tried to lure Portugese striker Nelson Oliveira to Madejski Stadium from Norwich City earlier this summer.

The Dutchman continued: “We were interested in him. We tried to find players that make us stronger and he is one of those players who we thought could be very interesting.

“We were working on bringing him here.

“We are still working on bringing in several new players to strengthen the squad.

“It’s not just me, it’s down to the Ron Gourlay and Brian Tevreden as well.

“It’s all about money, sometimes the transfer fees and wages are a lot.

“There is some money but we can’t buy 10 players.

“Hopefully we can get a few but we can’t spend £10m or £15m like other teams are spending.”

Reading Chronicle:

Reading tried to strike a deal for former Nottingham Forest forward Nelson Oliveira. PA picture

Royals ended their pre-season with a 3-2 defeat to Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem at Wycombe’s Adams Park yesterday. The squad will now turn their attention to next weekend’s Championship opener at Loftus Road.

Stam confirmed Yann Kermorgant is stepping up his recovery but remains a way off full fitness.

Meanwhile Stephen Quinn is also a doubt for the QPR fixture with a knee problem.