Three Championship clubs are currently in the race for Reading’s talented forward Femi Azeez, who has missed the start of the season due to injury.
It’s a three-way race in the Championship, with Millwall, Stoke City, and Plymouth Argyle all vying for the talented winger.
Millwall and Stoke have reportedly had their initial bids rejected for the winger however, Plymouth are also keen but have made no formal bid.
The value of the bids from Millwall and Stoke remains unclear, but with the player having only a year left on his deal, they could test Reading with another bid, as the Royals may be under pressure to cash in on the forward.
How did Azeez fare last season for Reading?
Femi Azeez was one of Reading’s star players last season. He played a pivotal role in helping the Royals avoid relegation after off-the-field issues resulted in point deductions for Ruben Selles’ side.
He played every match for the club and finished the season with 17 goal contributions, scoring eight and assisting nine. Only midfield sensation Lewis Wing had more (18).
The winger also averaged the most key passes a game with 1.5 and created the most big chances with 15. The game against Wycombe Wanderers can be an excellent testament to how crucial Azeez was last season, assisting twice in a 2-1 win.
He did not make as much of an impact in cup competitions, playing six of the nine cup matches and contributing only one goal.
Overall, it could be seen as an impressive campaign for the player, playing 52 times, picking up 18 goal contributions in a season plagued with off-the-field troubles.
Potential blow for Reading.
According to journalist Darren Witcoop, Millwall and Stoke have had their bids for Azeez rebuffed, and there is no indication whether they will return with another bid for the winger. However, with one year left on his deal, the two sides could test Reading again.
It may come as no surprise that Femi Azeez has the interest of Championship clubs after showcasing his talent last season for the Royals, and it could be a huge blow for them if the 23-year-old left this summer.
Reading are under a transfer embargo until their takeover is complete, only being able to sign free agents on one-year deals and players on loan for half a season.
Not being able to sign players means keeping stars such as Azeez could be as crucial as ever; if they lose their stars now, they may not be able to replace their qualities until the next transfer window in January.
You could argue that Azeez was one of the more crucial players on the Reading side. He was one of only four to contribute over five goals in the league for Ruben Selles’ team.
He could also create dangerous chances, along with his ability to provide goals and assists. An example is his 14 big chances created last season (the most for Reading) and having the second most dribbles per game with 1.1.