Reading face a major summer challenge in trying to retain number one goalkeeper, Joel Pereira, with contract offers reportedly on the table from both Hull City and Wycombe Wanderers, as well as interest from Portuguese side Casa Pia.
The Royals fanbase are desperate to see him stay, and FLW’s Reading Fan Pundit Johnny Hunt has weighed in on the latest rumours when asked his thoughts regarding a potential move to a direct rival.
Reading FC “hope” that Joel Pereira stays
Pereira enjoyed a fantastic season in between the sticks for the Royals, playing 40 league games, keeping 13 clean sheets, and finishing among the best in League One for goals prevented (9.06) and save percentage (75%).
Joel Pereira stats for Reading FC 2024/25 (Fotmob)
Apps
Clean sheets
Goals conceded
Goals prevented
Saves
Save percentage
Errors leading to goal
40
13
46
9.06
138
75.0%
0
*League stats only
“It’s an interesting one,” said Johnny. “Going to Wycombe would be a sideways move, that’s for sure. Hull just scraped Championship survival, but I really hope Joel sees that he’s part of something exciting here.”
That “something” refers to the post-takeover rebuild under Rob Coughig, who officially completed his purchase of the club in May and has since offered Pereira a new deal in a bid to keep hold of one of the Royals’ key players.
Pereira to Wycombe dismissed
The news that Wycombe, Couhig’s former club, have also made an offer to the Portuguese keeper hasn’t gone down well among Royals supporters. Johnny isn’t convinced Pereira would take them seriously as an option.
“We’re in a better place than Wycombe, looking ahead. The size of the club, the project, it’s all bigger here. I’m hoping that it’s just agents stirring things,” he added. “It would be a huge shame to lose him.”
Pereira’s current contract expires this summer, and it’s understood that he is still weighing up his options. The presence of Championship football at Hull could tempt him upwards, but a lateral move to another League One club would be harder to swallow for supporters.
Joel Pereira would be difficult to replace at Reading
While the club are reportedly exploring their options should Pereira depart, replacing him won’t be easy.
“He had a great season,” Johnny said. “One of the reasons we did so well. If he doesn’t stay, sure, there are other keepers out there, but it’d be a real shame to lose him after a year like that.”
Reading narrowly missed out on the League One play-offs last term, and with key midfielder Lewis Wing already tied down to a new contract, retaining Pereira would further strengthen the core heading into 2025/26.
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