While just one player entered through the doors at the SCL Stadium during the summer transfer window, namely the short-term loan signing of winger Chem Campbell, the free agent market remains open all year round.
The Royals have named just 11 senior players in their 22-man EFL squad, leaving plenty of room for experienced signings throughout the year.
Although this is not currently permitted due to the protracted takeover by American lawyer Rob Couhig and his consortium, once a deal goes through Ruben Selles should be free to add much-needed depth to his squad.
Take a look at four possible options in the free agent market which would be handy pick ups for Reading.
Romaine Sawyers
32-year-old Sawyers is a name well-known to most EFL fans, having been around the Championship for almost a decade.
On his day, particularly for Brentford, the skilful midfielder was unplayable and was in the Championship Team of the Year for West Bromwich Albion in 2020.
The Saint Kitts and Nevis international had been with Cardiff City since 2022 but managed just six appearances last year in a frustrating final year in Wales.
Still with lots of offer, particularly in the third tier, Sawyers' creativity could help provide Sam Smith with more chances and pop up with vital goals from midfield himself.
Carl Jenkinson
Former England defender Jenkinson returns on the market after a two-year spell in Australia with Melbourne City and Newcastle Jets.
Once upon a time a regular starter for Arsenal, the full-back has endured a stop-start career for the last decade and only made more than 20 appearances in a single season twice since 2017.
But as a wiser head and experienced body to fill in at right-back, where Selles is currently having to field a midfielder, he could come in useful as cover for Andy Yiadom.
Paul Dummett
Newcastle-born-and-bred, 32-year-old Dummett has played for the Magpies for 12 years and was on their books for nearly a quarter of a century.
The Wales international made over 200 appearances on Tyneside but has managed just 12 in the past three seasons.
A stalwart of Championship and Premier League sides for over a decade, Dummett would be a real coup in the third tier even at 32.
Josh Onomah
At 27, Onomah will most likely have offers above League One level.
Another Tottenham youngster, the midfielder has two promotions to the Premier League under his belt with Fulham.
However, appearing just 13 times in a short-term spell at Preston in 2022/23, he was released having failed to impress at Deepdale and failed to find a club for the entirety of last season.
A risk, he is clearly talented and a drop into the third tier would surely give the midfielder room to play himself back to his best.
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