READING FC fans have been reacting to an eventful transfer deadline day that saw three players leave the Madejski Stadium – one for big money.
Leandro Bacuna, 27, secured a move back to the Premier League after signing a four-and-a-half year deal with Neil Warnock’s Cardiff City.
The midfielder, who had more than two years left on his Royals contract, left for a fee in the region of £3m.
#ReadingFC fans when they saw that not only has Bacuna left, but #CardiffCityFC actually crossed their palms with silver #doh 🤦♂️🤦♂️ pic.twitter.com/p1GZJWV2cT
— EccyB6 (@EccoDave) February 1, 2019
He was quickly followed out of the exit door by Marc McNulty and David Meyler.
Out-of-favour striker McNulty returned north off the border to join Hibernian on loan for the rest of the season with a view to a permanent move in the summer.
So, a great window but anyone got that feeling there's something in the works and were gonna sign a free agent LB? It was a busy but strangely calm deadline day. #ReadingFC
— Jatt (@JatthewMenkins) February 1, 2019
A fantastic window all round, hats off to Gomes, Howe and the rest of the board. We've brought in some quality players in key areas and also managed to reduce the squad, as well as getting loan deals for some u23s. #readingfc https://t.co/MEqr4R8FE2
— Harrison Mitchell (@harrison1871rfc) February 1, 2019
16 out 5 in that’s defo reduced our squad now, love that Gomes stepped in to stop barrow from going top man, let’s push on from tomorrow if the game is on and push towards safety #readingfc
— Miles (@Milesyyy12) February 1, 2019
Midfielder Meyler, meanwhile, went to League One Coventry City on loan for the remainder of the campaign.
However, a number of other potential transfers failed to materialise, despite boss Jose Gomes hinting there were deals on the table.
Mo Barrow, Liam Kelly, Vito Mannone and Yakou Meite were all strongly linked with moves away, but nothing came of them.
Not fussed about Meite. Bacuna would be a big miss though #readingfc
— Tom (@Bookiefunder) January 31, 2019
But the Chronicle understands Manone's future could be sorted out in the coming days, with a move back to Italy a strong possibility.
This photo was taken at the end of September, 4 months ago.
— Andrew Savory (@adsavory) January 31, 2019
Mad the level of turnover (+ Dave Edwards who is missing for some reason)#readingfc pic.twitter.com/25jix3fQuc
Reading also sold Tiago Ilori to Sporting Lisbon for around £2.2m this week as the club raked in more than £5m in transfer fee.
Farewell partner 💙 https://t.co/WBYwLIvgTZ
— Liam Moore (@liammoore93) January 31, 2019
Gomes, however, failed to make another signing of his own yesterday despite links to playmaker Adel Taarabt.
Gomes signed five players on loan in January – Nelson Oliveira (Norwich), Matt Miazga (Chelsea), Ovie Ejaria (Liverpool), Lewis Baker (Chelsea) and Emi Martinez (Arsenal).
Gomes confirms #readingfc have an option to make Nelson Oliveira loan a permanent deal in the summer. 'This is possible.'https://t.co/lFyFlXET0U
— Anthony Smith (@Smudgersport) January 31, 2019
Those players to have exited Reading this month 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).
If we still had Clement, we would be down #readingfc
— ethan (@ETHANN_rfc) January 30, 2019
USA international striker Andrija Novakovic is also on loan at Dutch outfit Fortuna Sittard for the current season.
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