European side launch seven-figure bid for Reading star | OneFootball

Turkish Super Lig outfit Besiktas have launched a £2.5m bid in an attempt to lure Reading forward Lucas Joao across Europe, according to a report from The Sun.

The Angolan is currently one of the Royals’ two senior forward options at the Select Car Leasing Stadium at this stage, with Yakou Meite arguably being more suited to the wing position.

Although George Puscas has returned to Berkshire following the expiration of his loan deal at Serie B side Pisa, his future also remains uncertain, making Joao an extremely important asset for Paul Ince’s side.

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However, they may find it difficult to keep hold of him this summer with Football League World revealing earlier this month that Burnley, Middlesbrough and recently promoted club Nottingham Forest were all weighing up moves for his services.

Valerien Ismael’s Besiktas are the latest side to enter the race with the Frenchman being able to monitor the forward closely during his time at Barnsley and West Bromwich Albion. As per The Sun, they have even gone ahead and launched a £2.5m bid for him.

But they may demand an answer from the Berkshire outfit soon regarding this offer, with the English side’s stance currently unclear on this offer as they prepare for what could be an extremely tough 2022/23 campaign, even with the 28-year-old’s presence.

Ideally, the Royals need to be offloading the likes of Liam Moore and George Puscas, but they may not be in huge demand at this stage considering their performances in Berkshire in recent years.

Moore is also injured at this stage and likely to miss the early stages of the season, so it will be interesting to see what steps they take with the Jamaican as he’s likely to be a high earner.

Getting high earners off their wage bill will be especially important this summer considering they are working within a strict budget this summer as part of a business plan they agreed with the EFL last November.

Joao isn’t likely to be on a modest wage either – but his departure would leave a huge void in the Berkshire outfit’s first team and this is why they may be best served holding on to him.

His contract may expire next summer, enabling the 29-year-old to leave for nothing, but it may be worth losing him for free because his goals could mean the difference between survival and relegation if he can stay fit.