Despite an otherwise excellent window, Reading were left disappointed on transfer deadline day, as a move for Colchester United star Kyreece Lisbie fell through.
The Royals appeared to be signing the highly-rated U’s forward on the final day of the window, to complete what had already been a promising January for the Berkshire outfit.
But Colchester opted against selling their top goalscorer so late in the window, despite one final bid appearing to have been accepted.
However, the League Two club changed its mind late in the day. It was believed that the player still had aspirations of joining the Royals, but ultimately, the decision was out of his hands.
While not expressing a direct annoyance that the deal didn’t go through, Lisbie posted the following message on his Instagram story on Monday evening: “God: When the time is right, I will make it happen.” It doesn’t take a detective to figure out what was implied by that, with the 22-year-old also removing his profile photo.
Understandably, Danny Cowley’s outfit didn’t want to sell one of their prized assets so late in the window, though it’s more of a mystery as to why a deal was agreed in the first place. Perhaps Colchester thought they would be able to get a replacement in, but realised there was just too little time. Only those closely-involved with the U’s will ever know the full story.
The former Brentford academy product left the Bees in the summer, joining his twin brother Kyrell (Peterborough United) in playing in the EFL. The Essex-based outfit are indebted to Kyreece for his performances this season, bagging ten goals and providing five assists as Colchester look for another unlikely Play-Off push.
Where Does That Leave Reading?
That failed transfer aside, the Royals enjoyed an excellent transfer window as they look to reduce the gap to the Play-Off places in League One. They were my selection on the SW League One podcast last night for the side with the best window in the division, excluding the teams currently in the top six places.
Despite losing full-back Andre Garcia to Belgian giants Club Brugge and seeing Matty Jacob return to parent club Hull City, Reading were able to add real quality in those positions. On the left side of the back four comes Haydon Roberts, arriving on a permanent deal from Bristol City. And on the opposing flank is Ryan Nyambe, on a loan deal from Derby County. Both players have represented the Rams in the past, and the pair also have Championship minutes behind them this term.
Accrington Stanley centre-half Benn Ward attracted plenty of attention, with the Select Car Leasing Stadium his eventual destination. Kadan Young joins from Aston Villa, following his assist in the Europa League last Thursday. Randell Williams has extended his stay in Berkshire after initially agreeing a short-term deal last November. Finally, Will Keane, who won the golden boot at this level in 21/22 with 26 goals, joins the Royals from Preston North End after an injury-hit first half of the season.
And yet, despite these incomings, their best pieces of business were keeping hold of highly-sought after pair Charlie Savage and Lewis Wing. Along with 11-goal forward Jack Marriott, the disappointment of not signing Lisbie may not turn out to be the worst loss in the world for Leam Richardson’s outfit.