Reading Drop Takeover Update Then Loan In Chem Campbell

All of a sudden, things started to happen for the Royals on transfer deadline day...

What a weird end to transfer deadline day 2024 this has been. File tonight with the random half-hour period in August 2023 when Reading were deducted a point and then announced the signing of Paul Mukairu straight after. What a strange club we support.

Anyway, out of the blue, Reading dropped a statement just after 10pm tonight providing an update on the ongoing takeover. It came a couple of days after a statement had been rumoured to be on its way, which leaves me wondering if it’s the same piece, just delayed. Regardless, it read:

“Reading Football Club would like to provide an update on the proposed takeover of the club.

“Over several months the owner and potential purchaser, alongside the EFL, have been working extensively on ensuring the completion of the deal – with the prospective owner cleared by the governing body to take over the club.

“All parties had hoped to have the takeover completed ahead of the transfer window deadline this evening, however the complexities of the deal have prevented this from happening.

“The takeover has involved the transfer of multiple properties, both physical and intellectual. In addition to these assets in question, the stakeholders involved are located across 14 time zones worldwide, with multiple local laws and legislation needing to be abided by.

“In regards to potential signings this window, discussions remain ongoing, with staff members at the club working tirelessly to strengthen the playing squad before this evening’s 11pm deadline.”

The main point to be taken is that, although the takeover has been delayed, it’s still in the works. That statement reads very much like an attempt to calm fans’ nerves, with frustrations palpable on social media in recent days, ahead of a home game against Charlton Athletic on Saturday.

Reading also note that the “potential purchaser” - who they’re not allowed to name, but everyone knows to be Rob Couhig (what a plot twist if it doesn’t end up being Rob Couhig by the way) - now has EFL approval.

And the last line had me confused, given that Ruben Selles had previously expressed his frustration that Reading couldn’t sign a replacement for Femi Azeez, who left for Millwall recently. To be honest, I read it as the club wanting to put on record that they had tried to sign someone before they inevitably weren’t able to do so...

...until Chem Campbell signed 10 minutes later!

Campbell, 21, is a wide player who joins on loan until January 5 from Wolverhampton Wanderers. Although he won’t be able to play against Charlton Athletic tomorrow - a nice boost for Adrian Akande’s hopes of game time - Reading did make a point of praising the cooperation of the EFL in getting the deal done.

Campbell is not just our first signing of the summer window, but also only the second properly signing of the entire calendar year. The other was, of course, the unforgettable Zane Monlouis. Tom Holmes also came in on loan from Luton Town, but he was here anyway so he doesn’t really count.

Ruben Selles said:

”We are very happy to secure the signing of Chem, a player who will bolster our attacking options for the first half of our League One campaign.

He has a come through some of the best academy setups in the country and has experienced minutes playing at English football’s top level, and we are delighted to bring him to Reading to give him an opportunity to impress and develop further.”

While Campbell is at the beginning of his career, he does still have a decent amount of experience under his belt, thanks to loan stays with Wycombe Wanderers and Charlton Athletic. He’s run up a total of 37 appearances in League One across two loan stints with the Chairboys and one with the Addicks, although he’s spent more time in Premier League 2 with Wolves’ youth side.

He bolsters a department that was in need of new faces even before Azeez departed, joining Akande, Mamadi Camara and Andre Garcia as right-sided options. Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan has the other flank nailed down as things stand. With Camara out injured for a few weeks, it’ll be between Akande and Garcia to play against Charlton, with the former performing pretty well against Wrexham last weekend.

After that, hopefully Campbell can get up to speed quickly in the international break before Reading return to action with the visit of Leyton Orient in mid-September. And ideally he’ll be joined by a few new signings too, made possible by a takeover!

We can but hope.

Welcome to Berkshire, Chem!