JOSE Gomes will try and shift more Reading FC players out of the Madejski Stadium exit door before tonight’s 11pm transfer deadline.

The Chronicle understands Gomes is unlikely to add to his five loan signings this month despite links with former QPR playmaker, Adel Taarabt.

The 29-year-old signed a five-year deal with the Portuguese giants Benfica in January 2017 – but is yet to make a first-team appearance.

Media in Portugal suggest Benfica are ready to cut their losses and cancel the Morocco international’s contract, with Royals among a number of clubs showing an interest.

However, it is believed the player’s wage demands would be a major stumbling block and are likely to scupper any deal, even if Taarabt is available on a free transfer.

The chance of Taarabt joining could also depend on whether Mo Barrow leaves following strong links with Nigel Adkins’ Hull City and Bursaspor.

The Turkish top-flight club are said to want Barrow on loan for the rest of the season before a £2m permanent switch in the summer.

However, Reading are not happy with that arrangement and are reluctant to let him go.

Royals, though, could try and off-load more players today after selling defender Tiago Ilori to Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday for around £2.2m.

Gomes explained: “We have solutions for this position. We have signed Matt Miazga and we have more central defenders out of the list. I think it is good business for the club.”

Midfielder Liam Kelly is being linked with a move to Serie A outfit Udinese. The 23-year-old midfielder has dropped down the pecking order since the arrival of Gomes last month and has not featured since the 2-0 FA Cup defeat at Manchester United on January 5.

Nottingham Forest have made an unconfirmed offer of £500,000 for Tyler Blackett who is also wanted by Wigan.

And the futures of transfer-listed trio Marc McNulty, David Meyler and Vito Mannone could also be decided today.

McNulty has been linked with a move back north of the border to Hibernian, while Sunderland and his former club Coventry City are also showing interest.

Gomes is keen to move a goalkeeper on following the capture of Arsenal’s Emiliano Martinez, who made his debut in Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw at Bolton Wanderers.

That could spell the end for either Mannone or Anssi Jaakkola, both of whom were left out of the midweek squad.

Gomes has landed five loan players this month in Nelson Oliveira (Norwich), Ovie Ejaria (Liverpool), Lewis Baker (Chelsea), Martinez (Arsenal) and Miazga (Chelsea).

Those players to have exited Reading are Dave Edwards (Shrewsbury), Pele Clement (Zwolle), Josh Sims (Southampton), Axel Andressson (Viking), Adrian Popa (Ludogorets, loan), Luke Southwood (Eastleigh, loan), Ben House (Swindon, loan), Lewis Ward (Forest Green Rovers, loan) and Darren Sidoel (KSV Roeselare, loan).

USA international striker Andrija Novakovic is also on loan at Dutch outfit Fortuna Sittard for the current season.

Reading, who remain in the relegation zone, host Aston Villa this Saturday (3pm ko).