Reading FC have made nine signings so far this summer transfer window, but still appear to be active in the market with a need for a forward.
The Royals have made four loan signings, brought in four free agents and purchased Paddy Lane from Portsmouth for an undisclosed fee.
However, the desperate need for another forward to bolster the attack still remains with 20-year-old loanee Mark O’Mahony currently the only recognised striker at the club.
With less than a month to go until the window shuts, here are five strikers Reading could sign.
Devante Cole
The Royals are one of several League One sides who have explored a move for the 30-year-old forward.
West Brom are open to letting Cole leave the club after he failed to score in 14 Championship appearances for them last season.
Despite that, he has a strong goalscoring record in League One and scored 18 goals in 46 games for Barns;ley in 2023/24 and 15 in 45 in 2022/23.
Dom Ballard
He spent a short time on loan with Reading at the start of the 2023/24 season and showed good promise before he suffered a horrible injury where he snapped his patellar tendon which kept him out for the remainder of the campaign.
He netted three times in 10 appearances for Reading and has since had loan spells with Blackpool and Cambridge United.
Southampton are likely to send the 20-year-old striker out on loan again and Reading are one of a few League One sides who are monitoring his situation.
Ronan Hale
Reading have held interest in the 26-year-old striker for several months after his impressive campaign for Ross County in the Scottish Premiership last season where he netted 18 times in 22 games.
However, Reading would need to splash out around £1million to secure his signature after Ross County’s chairman confirmed that any club wanting to sign Hale would need to pay a seven-figure sum.
Dane Scarlett
Another potential option on loan as Spurs are likely to send the 21-year-old out for his fourth loan spell.
He has had stints with Portsmouth, Ipswich Town and Oxford United with varying degrees of success.
He spent the 2022/23 campaign with Pompey in League One and scored four times in 34 matches.
He then moved to the Championship with Ipswich in 2-23/24, but didn’t score in 12 appearances.
He was with Oxford United in the Championship last season and scored four goals in 20 matches.
