Reading have been placed under a ‘soft transfer embargo’ that restricts the club's ability to bring in new players for the duration of June, according to The Sun.

The move, by the EFL, is not a complete ban but means that any signings will have to be given the green light by the Football League.

According to The Sun: "The protocol, less punitive than a traditional transfer embargo, is understood to be in place at other Championship clubs too with Sheffield Wednesday believed to be among them.

“It is designed to keep clubs’ finances from spiralling out of control - and avoid the kind of cash crisis that saw Birmingham slapped with a nine-point deduction in March.”

Reading's transfer business this summer was already set to be hampered due to Financial Fair Play.

The club are, according to the paper, looking to offload Marc McNulty, David Meyler and Adrian Popa to get those players off the wage bill.

The Sun added: "Unwanted first-team players have been told they can report back for pre-season a week later than the rest and will train with the under-23s when they do, if they have not been sold by then.”

Back in May, CEO Nigel Howe said: "I expect this summer’s transfer window will be even busier than the last.

"Our challenge right now must be to reduce the size and cost of the first team squad to meet Profit and Sustainability targets - so we will see even more player movement in the coming weeks and months than we achieved back in January. Only then can we continue to move this club forward."