Reading FC will hope Arsenal and co have ended Tyler Bindon scouting mission | OneFootball

Bindon is continuing to shine in blue and white hoops - and could be vulnerable to January interest.

Reading made a brilliant decision to sign Tyler Bindon back in the summer of 2023.

Many fans thought he would initially link up with the Royals' academy, considering he was only 18 when he first made the move to the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

But after an unsatisfactory performance at Port Vale in August last year, Bindon became a key part of the first team, both at right-back and in central defence alongside Nelson Abbey.

Bindon also played alongside Tom Holmes when Abbey left, before forming a very good partnership with Amadou Mbengue.

The Bindon-Mbengue partnership remains in place at this point, and although the pair have endured their ups and downs, both have performed reasonably well during the period they have played together.

It also has to be said that they often aren't helped by a fairly attacking midfield that has no designated defensive midfield. Lewis Wing is the sitter in the Royals' midfield, but he isn't exactly a defensive player and that has made things difficult for Bindon and Mbengue at times.

Conceding five goals at Bolton Wanderers and four at Stockport County this season, it's clear that something needs to change defensively, especially on the road, if they are to be even more successful than they currently are.

Their defensive stats aren't a reflection of Bindon's performances though, with the New Zealand international doing very well for much of his time in the first team.

He wasn't great at right-back, but that isn't his natural position and it's clear to see that he's a very talented central defender.

The teenager will be hoping to secure some clean sheets to match what has been a successful time for him at the SCL Stadium so far.

Reading FC will be hoping Arsenal haven't retained their interest in Tyler Bindon

Bindon was reportedly the subject of interest from Arsenal last year, having impressed during the early stages of his time in Berkshire.

The Gunners didn't end up making a move for him in January or during the summer window, but the longer he continues to impress, the more interest he's going to generate.

At just 19, having some first-team experience under his belt and already representing his country at a senior international level, he is doing everything right and his statistics reinforce just how important he is at the SCL Stadium.

It could definitely be argued that the number of goals the Royals have conceded away from home this season could be a turn-off for clubs, but looking at the player individually, he barely puts a foot wrong.

Winning plenty of his aerial duels and also proving to be an asset with the ball at his feet, with his composure important for Ruben Selles' side, clubs will want to sign a player of his calibre during the winter.

It's a shame for the Royals that they are in such a poor financial position at this point - because they could have tied the defender down to a new contract by now.

That would have strengthened their negotiating position ahead of January, but as things stand, the player only has just over six months left on his current deal.

Fans will be hoping that his contract includes the option of an extra year - because it would be extremely painful for the club if they lost a player of his promise on a free transfer.

If they can get a takeover signed and sealed before the January window, that would put them in a better position to keep the player.

But with the club not being sold yet, fans will be fearful that the current owners will cash in on some of their first-teamers to raise money, like they did during the last winter window when Abbey, Holmes, Tom McIntyre and Caylan Vickers were all sold.