Reading FC urged to seal "excellent" deal for Yakou Meite after Cardiff City exit | OneFootball

FLW's Reading fan pundit has given his verdict on a potential return to the club for forward Yakou Meite after his release by Cardiff City.

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...

A new era is underway at Reading after Rob Couhig completed his takeover of the club, bringing Dai Yongge's disastrous tenure to an end.

It was a nightmare few years for Reading under Yongge's ownership, but having seen his initial takeover bid collapse at the last minute in September, Couhig finally completed his purchase of the club last month, much to the delight of the long-suffering fan base.

While the Royals are yet to make a signing this summer, they can now operate properly in the transfer market after facing constant restrictions during Yongge's reign, and they have tied two of their star players - goalkeeper Joel Pereira and midfielder Lewis Wing - down to new three-year contracts.

It remains to be seen who Reading manager Noel Hunt will target over the coming months, but the news of former fan favourite Yakou Meite's release by Cardiff City following their relegation to League One has led some to speculate about the possibility of the forward returning to the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

Meite spent seven years with the Royals after arriving from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2016, and while the club's fortunes fluctuated during that period, the 29-year-old was one of their most consistent performers, with his best season coming in the 2019-20 campaign when he scored 17 goals in 45 games.

However, Meite's time at Cardiff did not quite go to plan, with the Frenchman scoring just five goals and providing one assist in 72 appearances during his two-year spell in South Wales, and he has not been offered a new contract by the Bluebirds as they prepare for life in League One.

Reading told to re-sign Yakou Meite after Cardiff City release

When asked if the club should consider a reunion with Meite this summer, FLW's Reading fan pundit Johnny Hunt said that he would like to see the forward return to Berkshire despite his disappointing stint at Cardiff, although he admitted that it would split opinion among supporters.

"I think the fans are divided about Yakou Meite coming back," Johnny told FLW.

"He was obviously a fan favourite, but he didn't really have a great time at Cardiff.

"However, I think if you're building a squad in League One, he would be excellent.

"He has a lot of strength, and we haven't really had a proper winger since he left, to be honest, although we have had issues off the pitch.

"He loves being at Reading, I think he was there on the last day of the season.

"He's a good character, he has a good personality, and I'd welcome him back, for sure.

"He's a player that could offer something.

"He can play up front as well, and if we need a player to come off the bench and make a difference, then he could do that.

"He's got a point to prove as well, so I think he would be a good signing."

With optimism among Reading supporters higher than it has been for a long time following Couhig's takeover, the return of a fan favourite in Meite would only increase the positivity around the club, even if some may have reservations about the move.

Meite played under Hunt during his brief spell as interim manager towards the end of the 2022-23 season, so the forward will be known to the Irishman, and he could use that connection to help bring him back to the club this summer.

Of course, Hunt will have to weigh up whether Meite can add something to his squad next season, and they would not be getting him in good form after his underwhelming spell at Cardiff, but he would surely be a threat at League One level.