Manchester United youngster James Wilson could leave on loan in January with Reading and Leeds United the early frontrunners.
James Wilson’s admission that he could leave Manchester United on loan during the January transfer window has not gone unnoticed.
Barely a few hours had passed after the striker’s admission that a temporary exit from Old Trafford was possible before The Sun reported that both Leeds United and Reading were willing to hand the 21-year-old the regular first-team football he desires.
And Reading manager Jaap Stam was in no mood to hide the fact that The Royals attempted to bring Wilson to the Madejski in the summer. Though the former Manchester United defender did not confirm whether or not the club are still interested, however, Stam has hinted that he would welcome players who would improve the squad in January.
“I know about it and we already spoke about (Wilson) in June,” Stam told the Reading Chronicle of the striker, who scored twice on his United debut against Hull City in 2014.
“I’m not going to name names, but we are looking at players. We’re looking at the team, how we are set up and asking whether we need to do anything and bring in players in certain areas.
“So yes, we are looking at certain players who can improve the team and add extra quality to the squad. But that’s not going to be easy because clubs don’t want to sell their best players in January.”
Considering the lack of goalscorers in Reading’s shot-shy squad, Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, Liam Kelly and Mo Barrow are the club’s most prolific players with two apiece, Wilson is certainly a player who would improve arguably the weakest area of Stam’s squad.
Leeds, then, may face a real challenge attempting to sign Wilson in the New Year. Thomas Christiansen’s side would also welcome attacking reinforcements but, with Pierre-Michel Lasogga impressing and Caleb Ekuban set to return from injury, Leeds’ need appears to be a little less than Reading’s at the moment.
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