Reading FC "bigger" claim made amid Joel Pereira, Wycombe Wanderers transfer saga | OneFootball

Reading’s Joel Pereira is weighing up contract offers from Hull and Wycombe as Royals fans urge him to stay after a standout League One season.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Reading face a major summer challenge in trying to retain number one goalkeeper, Joel Pereira, with contract offers reportedly on the table from both Hull City and Wycombe Wanderers, as well as interest from Portuguese side Casa Pia.

The Royals fanbase are desperate to see him stay, and FLW's Reading Fan Pundit Johnny Hunt has weighed in on the latest rumours when asked his thoughts regarding a potential move to a direct rival.

Reading FC "hope" that Joel Pereira stays

Pereira enjoyed a fantastic season in between the sticks for the Royals, playing 40 league games, keeping 13 clean sheets, and finishing among the best in League One for goals prevented (9.06) and save percentage (75%).

"It's an interesting one," said Johnny. "Going to Wycombe would be a sideways move, that's for sure. Hull just scraped Championship survival, but I really hope Joel sees that he's part of something exciting here."

That "something" refers to the post-takeover rebuild under Rob Coughig, who officially completed his purchase of the club in May and has since offered Pereira a new deal in a bid to keep hold of one of the Royals' key players.

Pereira to Wycombe dismissed

The news that Wycombe, Couhig's former club, have also made an offer to the Portuguese keeper hasn't gone down well among Royals supporters. Johnny isn't convinced Pereira would take them seriously as an option.

"We're in a better place than Wycombe, looking ahead. The size of the club, the project, it's all bigger here. I'm hoping that it's just agents stirring things," he added. "It would be a huge shame to lose him."

Pereira's current contract expires this summer, and it's understood that he is still weighing up his options. The presence of Championship football at Hull could tempt him upwards, but a lateral move to another League One club would be harder to swallow for supporters.

Joel Pereira would be difficult to replace at Reading

While the club are reportedly exploring their options should Pereira depart, replacing him won’t be easy.

"He had a great season," Johnny said. "One of the reasons we did so well. If he doesn’t stay, sure, there are other keepers out there, but it’d be a real shame to lose him after a year like that."