CSKA Moscow striker Adolfo Gaich could join Reading on loan after attracting interest from Premier League pair Leeds United and West Ham, according to the Reading Chronicle.
Emphasis, there, on the word could.
A cash-strapped Reading outfit have not spent a single penny during the summer transfer window – largely due to that pesky transfer embargo – with only two new faces added to Veljko Paunovic’s squad; free agent Junior Hoilett and Watford loanee Tom Dele-Bashiru.
And, according to reports coming out of Berkshire, Reading can only hope to lure Argentina international Gaich to the Madejski if CSKA are willing to loan out a striker they paid £7 million for as recently as last summer.
Is Adolfo Gaich heading to the Championship?
The former San Lorenzo hitman has long been linked with a move to Elland Road, compatriot Marcelo Bielsa apparently taking a keen interest.
It was reported just three weeks ago, via Tuttomercatoweb, that Gaich had an offer on the table from Leeds, though the Yorkshire giants now appear to be prioritising a spirited box-to-box midfielder a la Lewis O’Brien of Huddersfield Town.
The Chronicle adds that Gaich has caught the eye of West Ham too.
While Michail Antonio has begun the new season like Didier Drogba in his defence-destroying prime, The Hammers remain determined to add a number nine to David Moyes’ squad.
After links with Abdallah Sima, Youssef En-Nesyri and Patson Daka, Montpellier hitman Gaetan Laborde now appears to be the number one target.
“For me, Gaich is similar to (Robert) Lewandowski,” former San Lorenzo coach Fernando Kuyumchoglu told Tuttomercatoweb after a striker nicknamed ‘The Tank’ scored a famous winner against Juventus during his short-term loan spell at Benevento last season.
Should Reading manager to overcome their financial concerns and strike a deal, Gaich would be expected to fill a void created by the long-term absence of the stricken Yakou Meite.
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