Reading FC head of football operations Mark Bowen has stated his determination to keep Lucas Joao at the club this summer.
Amid Reading’s financial problems which could lead to pressure to sell some of their more valuable assets, Joao has reportedly been a target for several Championship clubs and also teams around Europe.
“From a football point of view, I think he’s one of the best strikers in the league,” said Bowen.
“We need to make sure his availability to play is hopefully better than the last few years.
“When he’s playing and on the pitch, we have a chance of winning any game.”
Bowen confirmed that if Reading were to sell Joao, or any other player, that they will not be able to spend the money this summer.
“From a financial point of view, it doesn’t matter whether we get £50m, we can’t use that money this year.
“We can use his wages because that comes off the wage bill but we can’t use the money.
“With that said, Mr Dai isn ‘t in the habit of accepting money for his players. He wants them to stay.
“Football changes week in week out, but at the moment I’d like to think that there is no chance of Lucas Joao going because the owner wants him to stay, I want him to stay, the fans want him to stay.
“Even if it was an extraordinary amount of money, I don’t know how we could use it to the best effect.
“We can have a squad of 25 players and we will try to get that squad as strong as we can.
“We have to be as competitive as we can and will do the best in the following weeks to get it as strong as we can.”
