Championship side Reading planning striker double swoop

Jaap Stam is looking to bolster Reading’s forward options ahead of the new season, and is targeting both Fulham’s Sone Aluko and Huddersfield Town’s Nahki Wells.

The Royals currently have three strikers in their stable, but only 35-year-old Yann Kermorgant scored regularly for them last term. Joseph Mendes struggled with injury and new signing Jon Dadi Bodvarsson is not a proven goalscorer in the Championship.

However, if the club could capture both Wells and Aluko, their strike-force would look much more impressive as they seek to go one better than last season and return to the Premier League. Furthermore, the signing of the latter in particular would weaken a key rival ahead of next season.

Aluko, 28, joined Fulham from Hull last summer, and looked at home in English football’s second division, scoring nine goals for the Cottagers as they reached the playoffs.

Wells, 27, who is valued at around £8m, also has a decent reputation in the Championship, having scored 10 goals and laid on five assists as Huddersfield Town were promoted to the Premier League via the playoffs, beating Reading in the final on penalties.