Reading FC to rival Wigan Athletic and Gillingham for 27-year-old attacker | OneFootball

Reading are interested in Ross County star Ronan Hale, who has also been eyed by Wigan Athletic and Gillingham.

Reading are interested in Ross County striker Ronan Hale, who has also been eyed by League One rivals Wigan Athletic and League Two outfit Gillingham.

The Royals successfully defeated fellow play-off chasers Stockport County in their last third-tier game, and remain just four points adrift of the top six.

Leam Richardson has established fine form at Reading since replacing former boss Noel Hunt in October, and the ex-Wigan manager will be keen to have a strong transfer window.

The Berkshire club face 18th-place Leyton Orient on Saturday, which provides them with a vital opportunity to add another three points to their tally.

Reading set to battle Wigan Athletic and Gillingham for Ronan Hale

Reading enjoy the services of striker Jack Marriott, who has notched eight goals and three assists in 14 League One appearances this season.

However, Richardson is keen to bolster his attacking options, with the Reading Chronicle revealing that the Royals retain an interest in Hale, having eyed the forward back in May.

Gillingham and Wigan have also eyed Hale, who has scored 12 goals in 24 appearances across all competitions for Scottish Championship side Ross County this campaign.

The Northern Ireland international also proved his worth last season by scoring 12 goals in 36 Scottish Premiership appearances for the Global Energy Stadium outfit, despite their relegation from the top flight.

Reading could be in pole position to sign Ronan Hale amid League One promotion battle

At 27 years old, Hale is a journeyman who has played for Derry City, Crusaders, St Patrick's Athletic, Larne, Cliftonville, and his current club, Ross County.

Hale's best goalscoring season came in 2022/23, when he scored 28 goals in 48 appearances across all competitions, including 18 strikes in the Northern Irish Premiership.

The fact that the striker has played for six clubs shows that he is no stranger to adapting to new surroundings, while his clinical tendencies suggest that he has what it takes to perform well in either League One or League Two.

Meanwhile, Reading's status as a third-tier play-off challenger could mean that they are in better standing to acquire Hale than either Wigan or Gillingham.

Ryan Lowe's Wigan are just 15th in League One, having struggled for consistency all season, meaning that the former Cliftonville man could favour joining the Royals.

The Latics desperately need a new goalscorer, as they have been increasingly reliant on academy graduate Harrison Bettoni, while summer signings Dara Costelloe and Christian Saydee have largely struggled.

However, despite the presence of Marriott, Hale should be keen on joining Reading, who could be plying their trade in the Championship next season, should they enjoy a successful play-off campaign.

Furthermore, Royals boss Richardson proved himself as a top manager at League One level by winning the third-tier title with Wigan back in 2022.

Ironically, the former Latics boss could now help his side beat the Greater Manchester outfit to Hale's signature, which may even help him add another promotion to his CV.