It has been reported that Reading are interested in signing Devante Cole, who is expected to depart West Bromwich Albion before the end of this summer’s transfer window.
Cole joined the Baggies on a free transfer last summer, following his departure from Barnsley, but he struggled for game time and any sort of form at The Hawthorns in the second-tier.
Now, as he seems likely to leave, it appears as though the Royals are targeting the 30-year-old as they look to continue their rebuild towards more steady footing off the pitch.
It is a transfer that FLW’s Royals fan pundi Johnny Hunt believes would be a good addition to the Reading squad, who narrowly missed out on the top six and the play-off places in League One on the final day of last season.
Cole would be a good addition for Reading this summer
With Reading due to begin the 2025/26 League One campaign on Saturday against Lincoln City at Sincil Bank, the Royals are trying to put some finishing touches on their squad before the opening day, with a month of the window still to go.
Cole has played well at League One level before, scoring 33 goals in the third-tier in his final two seasons at Oakwell before his move to West Brom, and FLW fan pundit Johnny Hunt believes it would be a good addition for the Berkshire-based club.
Johnny said: “I think that Devante Cole would be a great signing for us, getting down to desperation time now with it being so close to the start of the season.
“He didn’t do great stepping up into the Championship with West Brom, but he was excellent at both levels at Barnsley, and he’s the kind of player we need.
“The kind of head, experience and he knows this level well, scores goals and he is a big physical presence, so it would definitely be a good player for Mark O’Mahony to learn from, play alongside and hopefully build a relationship with on the pitch.
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“There are a lot of other teams out there that are looking for a striker, so hopefully it is something we can get done and get done very quickly because the options are going to become very limited in terms of experienced players we can sign up-front.”
Reading will be aiming for promotion this season
In what is set to be an extremely competitive League One this season, Noel Hunt’s side will once again be aiming to replicate their push for the top six from last year.
That came in extremely difficult circumstances off the pitch, but Dai Yongge’s ownership of the club is now over, and things should begin to look a bit more promising for the Royals from this summer onwards.
They have lost some experienced first-teamers such as Amadou Mbengue and Michael Craig to Queens Park Rangers and Leyton Orient respectively, whilst Harvey Knibbs is set to complete a move to Charlton Athletic.
However, in terms of incomings, they have been able to bring in some intriguing additions, with Paudie O’Connor, Jack Stevens, Liam Fraser and Daniel Kyerewaa arriving on free transfers, as well as loan deals completed for Matty Jacob, Mark O’Mahony and Finley Burns.
Devante Cole’s stats at Barnsley in L1
Season
Games
Goals
Assists
2022/23
45
15
3
2023/24
46
18
1
Source: FotMob
Reading will have their work cut out to again mount a challenge for the play-offs next season, but Cole would represent a signing of good pedigree and quality for League One.
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