Reading 'want to give back to the fans' - Jacobson

Reading chief executive Joe Jacobson (far right) says Reading will mainly target free transfers and loans this summer

Reading chief executive Joe Jacobson has said that he and others at the club want to "give back to the fans" and "bring them good news" regarding new contracts and signings.

After Rob Couhig's takeover was completed, former Wycombe player Jacobson was announced as CEO, forming part of a fresh ownership group at the Royals.

The 38-year-old has been brought in with the first task of convincing a number of first-team players to sign new deals to stay at the club.

In May, Reading offered new deals to 11 players and so far just one - goalkeeper Joel Pereria - has agreed to re-sign.

Since Couhig's arrival, only Pereria and midfielder Lewis Wing have signed new deals.

"We're competing with other teams that want our players," Jacobson told BBC Radio Berkshire. "We're working hard behind the scenes. There will be some new faces in as well.

"We're hoping that some of the players will see Joel and Lewis signing and think that they want to be a part of that.

"If we can add to this and sign some good players on top as we build the squad, then hopefully we can be successful."

At the final game of last season, despite there being disappointment at missing out on the League One play-offs, fans turned up in numbers and celebrated news of a new owner and new chapter at the club.

Jacobson had been rumoured to be coming in ever since Couhig's ambitions of taking over were first mentioned.

And despite having only recently being appointed, he said that he was well aware of the efforts supporters had made to bring attention to their ownership situation across the past few years.

"The fans have been incredible so far," Jacobson said.

"It feels like they have someone to get behind in Rob. We want to give these fans as much good news as they can get.

"They almost saved this club themselves last season, not just financially but being in the public eye and demonstrating. It has been amazing and we now want to give back to them.

"We were here for the final game of the season when there was a near-full stadium. We want that every week and it is now up to us to put a squad together that can make the experience of coming to Reading special and making them want to keep coming back."

'Free transfer and loans' this summer

For the first time in a long time this summer, Reading will be able to operate in the transfer market and bring in players without the restrictions they faced under former owner Dai Yongge.

As well as tying down those whose contracts are soon set to expire, if Reading want to better last season and make a big push for promotion, then emphasis will be on adding to their squad.

The transfer window reopens on Monday after being open for a brief period last week.

"Right now where we are looking at is mainly free transfers and loans," Jacobson said.

"It's slow at the moment everywhere. It feels like everyone is after the same small group of players and just before pre-season it speeds up a bit.

"We have our targets and we have spoken to some that we want. There is some that we have offered contracts out to that we're speaking to daily, people we really want that would be exciting for the football club.

"Hopefully we can have some more exciting news quite soon."