Reading FC have had a torrid start to their League One campaign with three losses on the bounce and have scored just one goal in that time.
Many fans have been crying out for the club to sign a striker for the majority of the summer with just one recognised central striker currently on the books.
While Brighton loanee Mark O’Mahony is the only natural striker among the squad, Kelvin Ehibhatiomahn has also been used as a central striker.
However, Reading have managed just one goal in three matches with came courtesy of a wonderstrike from skipper Lewis Wing in a 2-1 defeat to AFC Wimbledon.
With just a couple of weeks of the summer transfer window left, here are some options Reading could turn to, to fix their striker issue.
Britt Assombalonga
The 32-year-old has a wealth of experience playing throughout the EFL during his career so far and has a decent goal scoring record.
However, his goal scoring has slowed down drastically in the past few years throughout his time in Turkey.
His last outing in the EFL was for Watford in the Championship in 2023 where he managed two goals in 11 games.
He has spent time in Turkey with Adana Demispor, where he scored 12 in 49, a season with Antalyaspor with two goals in 22 and most recently with Amedspor where he netted three times in 18 games.
He was once a prolific scorer in League One, albeit more than a decade ago when he scored 23 in 43 for Peterborough.
However, he might still have something to offer given Reading’s lack of depth up top and his availability as a free agent.
Tyreece John-Jules
The 24-year-old was once a promising star rising through the ranks of Arsenal’s academy, but is now struggling to find a club.
He has been part of the PFA pre-season for free agents in the hope of getting a contract for a club.
Although his goal scoring in the EFL hasn’t been prolific, he’s a player with a point to prove at still a relatively young age.
He spent 10 years in the Arsenal academy before progressing to the first-team in 2019.
After several loan spells, including Lincoln City, Doncaster Rovers, Blackpool, Sheffield Wednesday, Ipswich Town and Derby County, he joined Crawley Town last season.
However, he failed to score a goal in 25 appearances for Crawley last season.
HIs most successful loan spell came in the 2020/21 campaign with Doncaster in League One when he scored five times in 18 games.
Aiden Marsh
Another player who is searching for a contract and is involved in the PFA pre-season for free agents.
The 22-year-old striker spent time in both Barnsley’s and Sheffield United’s academies.
He played 35 league matches for Barnsley in three years and scored four league goals.
Loan spells included time at Scunthorpe and York City before he netted three times in 15 matches on loan at Raith Rovers last season.
He also won the Barnsley young player of the season award in the 2023/24 season, but is now searching for a new club.
