JAAP Stam has revealed Reading FC have little money to spend in the transfer window.

Royals’ under-pressure boss was hoping to strengthen his squad in January to help his side pull clear of the Championship relegation zone.

He was linked with two players earlier this week – Bristol City midfielder Marlow Pack plus Ecuador striker, Jaime Ayovi, who plays for Beijing Renhe, the Chinese Super League club belonging to Reading owners Dai Yongee and sister Dai Xiu Li.

Ayovi, who has 40 international caps, rattled in 20 goals in 29 games last season to help win promotion from the second tier and bagged an impressive 26 goals in 59 appearances for his previous club, Godoy Cruz in Argentina’s top division.

But Stam was this week eager to play down the club’s spending power.

“There is nothing in the pipeline as far as I’m concerned, but we are always looking for quality,” he explained.

“We’d like to do something, but you need to talk to Ron (Gourley, chief executive) and Brian Tevreden (director of football).

“I have spoken to Ron and Brian, but we can’t spend a lot of money in January. If we want to do something we need to be creative.”

Reading Chronicle:

Unconfirmed reports suggest Reading are looking at Bristol City midfielder, Marlon Pack. Picture: David Davies/PA Wire.

Royals have also been linked with 22-year-old Manchester United striker James Wilson several times in the past and Stam could call on his former club again during the window.

United defender Cameron Borthwick-Jackson has also emerged as a potential target for the Royals.

But with resources seemingly stretched at Madejski Stadium, Stam also challenged his squad to rise to the challenge ahead, with Royals just four points above the drop zone.

“While you always want to add extra quality to your team, it’s also about the self-confidence of players,” he stressed.

“When confidence is low players don’t do things they normally do when they feel good and results are working for them.”

While the prospects of Reading signing new players looks bleak, Stam will be banking on the club not to sell its crown jewels following strong interest in Liam Moore.

Celtic and West Ham are thought to be chasing the 24-year-old defender who signed a new four-year deal last summer.

However, Stam accepts rivals clubs will be looking at the highly-rated centre-back.

“We have the utmost confidence in all our players, but everybody knows he is one of the most important players in our squad,” he said recently.

“Other players aren’t at the same level as Liam yet.

“As a manager, if a club does put in a bid for a player like Liam then you have to consider whether you need to give him that opportunity.

“You have to decide whether you should hold him back or say to him that he’s just signed a new contract so he needs to stay here.”

Meanwhile, Royals Academy duo Gabriel Osho and Tom McIntyre have signed professional contracts until summer 2020.

Reading, beaten 2-0 at home by lowly Birmingham City on Tuesday, turn their attentions to the FA Cup this Saturday and a third-round trip to League Two Stevenage (3pm ko).

Around 1,400 Royals fans are due to make the trip to Lamex Stadium to face Darren Sarll’s Boro.