UPDATED NEWS: Reading FC set to sign Southampton talented striker.
Ballard will reunite with his former boss Ruben Selles in Berkshire.
According to writers Alfie House and James Earnshaw, Reading are ready to sign Southampton striker Dom Ballard on loan before tonight’s deadline.
The Royals need two or three new players before the summer transfer market closes, with the forward position being a priority.
A left-back may also be on their agenda today, given their lack of depth in this position in the absence of John Clarke – but it’s unclear if they’re aiming to bring in a loanee or a free agent.
If they choose the latter, they will not be required to sign their target by tonight’s 11 p.m. deadline.The final position they should consider is centre midfield, where Lewis Wing’s injury highlights the fact that they don’t have many options.
Sam Hutchinson is one of those choices, but given his injury history, they can’t afford to rely on him.
However, with Andy Carroll’s leaving yesterday, the forward area need immediate attention.
What’s the state of play in Pforward department?
Carroll’s departure leaves the Royals with little choices in this area, as the former England international terminated his contract at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
Sam Smith will most likely be their primary man when he returns, although he has been injured and may need some time to get back to his best after missing the first half of the season.
Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan, like fellow youngster Caylan Vickers, has been impressive so far this season.
Jahmari Clarke is another natural forward option, but it doesn’t appear that they have signed Jayden Wareham to a contract yet, which means he won’t be allowed to play for the first team.
Although Harvey Knibbs, Paul Mukairu, Femi Azeez, and Basil Tuma may be able to play up top, at least two or three wingers will be required during the season.
Ballard appears to be another option in this area, and he might be a fantastic acquisition after scoring two hat-tricks already this season in Premier League 2.
Should Southampton let Dom Ballard go?
If he isn’t going to play regularly at a first-team level and is going to be guaranteed game time at Reading, then this move should definitely be sanctioned.
Keeping him in the first team at St Mary’s may have been a good idea because of his goalscoring record and the fact Che Adams and Kamaldeen Sulemana could potentially secure moves away from the south coast before tonight’s deadline.
Ballard’s departure probably gives the Saints more work to do in the transfer market before the deadline and that isn’t ideal, but this decision to send Ballard to Berkshire may pay dividends.
A season at the SCL Stadium would allow Ballard to become accustomed to playing senior football regularly and if he can shine there, that will only give him more confidence.
And he could easily break into the Saints’ first team if he can shine under Selles, who already knows him.
