Peterborough United lead Reading FC in transfer race to sign 11-goal star | OneFootball

Peterborough United are leading Reading in the race to sign Kyreece Lisbie from Colchester United

Reading and Peterborough United are both vying to bolster their squads ahead of the upcoming League One season.

The Royals finished 12th in the third tier this term, 12 points adrift of the play-off spots, whereas the Posh finished 18th, four points above the drop zone.

Both sides will hope to trouble the top-six places next term, which will involve strengthening their squads this summer.

Reading boss Leam Richardson and Peterborough's Luke Williams are both preparing for their first full season in charge of their respective clubs.

Peterborough United favourites to beat Reading to Colchester United star

Peterborough ended the season with a nine-game winless run, epitomising their struggles and highlighting how much work they have to do in the summer transfer market.

Reading also concluded their 2025/26 campaign in poor form, failing to win any of their last six games, as their play-off chances slipped away.

Meanwhile, according to the Reading Chronicle, the Posh are leading the Royals in the race to sign Colchester United ace Kyreece Lisbie, with Richardson's men hesitant to meet his current club's valuation.

The Chronicle's report adds that Colchester's estimated valuation of the 22-year-old is between £500,000 and £750k.

Lisbie scored 11 goals and produced five assists in 45 League Two appearances this term, and was voted as The U's' young player of the season in recognition of his efforts.

The winger's twin brother, Kyrell Lisbie, is already thriving at Peterborough, having notched 11 goals and seven assists in 44 League One outings this campaign.

Kyrell has adjusted well to playing in the EFL this season, having previously represented Welling United, Cray Valley Paper Mills, and Braintree Town in the non-league game.

Kyreece should be enthused by the prospect of joining up with his twin brother, who has thrived under Williams' management at Peterborough.

Kyreece Lisbie addition can help Peterborough United turn tide around

The Posh were relegated from the Championship to League One back in 2022, and ultimately want to return to the second tier as soon as possible.

Peterborough successfully clinched a third-tier play-off spot in both the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons, but have subsequently found themselves at the wrong end of the table.

This season witnessed their second successive 18th-place finish in League One, and the Posh faithful will want to see tangible improvement next term.

Meanwhile, Kyreece Lisbie's strong showings in League Two this term and his overall upward trajectory suggest he is ready to adapt to the third tier.

The 22-year-old could help Peterborough find their way back to the top half of League One, while the presence of his twin brother would help him adjust to a new environment.

Lisbie registered an assist on the last day of the League Two season as Colchester thrashed Cheltenham Town 4-1, thanks to goals from Samson Tovide, Arthur Read, Harry Anderson, and Finlay Barbrook.

Peterborough will hope that he can make more goal contributions in League One next term, should they continue to lead Reading in the race for his services.

Missing out on transfer targets is non-ideal for a Royals outfit who want to reinstate their play-off credentials following a poor end to the campaign.