Reading FC keen on Bournemouth midfielder, report suggests

Reading are keen on signing Bournemouth midfielder Gavin Kilkenny, according to recent reports.

The 23-year-old holding midfielder has been with the Cherries since 2019 and has made 24 appearances- but failed to feature at all last campaign.

Sent out on two loans, the Republic of Ireland youngster played four times for Stoke City in the Championship and eight times for Charlton Athletic in League One.

Now deemed surplus to requirements at the Vitality Stadium, but with two years still on his contract, his future is uncertain.

According to the Football Insider, both Reading and Birmingham City have ‘registered their interest’ in the former Under-21 international.

Ruben Selles has already signed midfielders in the transfer window, with Charlie Savage and Lewis Wing high-profile incomings last month.

Kilkenny has been on the bench for Bournemouth’s opening two Premier League games against West Ham and Liverpool having impressed in pre-season for the Cherries.

The summer transfer window slams shut on Friday, September 1.

Reading FC boss addresses first-team freeze-out rumours

Reading manager Ruben Selles insists the door is ‘not closed’ on four first-team players dropped after recent displays.

Reading have won two games on the bounce with a team average age of under 22, the youngest in the division.

The likes of Matthew Carson, Tyler Bindon and Nelson Abbey have all become regulars in recent matches- while Andy Carroll, Tom Holmes and Nesta Guinness-Walker have all been dropped from the squad completely.

Rumours had circulated that there had been a disagreement following a 1-0 defeat to Port Vale earlier in the month, something Selles disputes.

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“We keep our conversations inside so that’s it,” Selles told BBC Berkshire after Saturday’s 1-0 win over Stevenage. “We are counting right now with other players. They are training good and as much as they are with us, I will have it in my squad. I think they can contribute in a game day- I think they will do it and they will be there. About their future, it is not for me to talk about.

“I don’t close the door for anybody. I have made my player selection and I think about my game plan and how I can beat the opponent. Right now, in the last two games, other players were in our plans but that is it. If they perform and work hard then there is a way back into the team. Nobody has closed the door.”

Carroll, who missed a penalty at Vale Park, was present at the SCL Stadium on Saturday while reports have emerged linking Guinness-Walker with a move away.

Club captain Andy Yiadom and fan favourite Tom McIntyre have started both matches since Port Vale on the bench, and have been linked with departing the club before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.