Reading goalkeeper Rafael Cabral is set to leave the club in January, according to reports from his home country.
Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte says the 31-year-old, who has a contract with the Royals until the end of the season, should rescind his deal next month.
The report says his exit is related to Reading’s Financial Fair Play issues. The club are said to be studying the options they have to balance their finances, and one of them is to release some of their players.
Globo Esporte managed to speak to Rafael himself about the situation. The goalkeeper pointed out how much he likes the Royals, but also explained that the exit is possible.
“The club is excellent, but unfortunately right now they’re having this Fair Play problem, where we’ve already lost six points,” Rafael told Globo Esporte.
“(The club) Have to achieve some goals with player sales, revenue and payroll reduction so that there are no more punishments, as far as we know. So really anything can happen. But I repeat, the club is great.”
Rafael joined Reading in a free move from Sampdoria back in 2019, and made 97 appearances for them. He was the club’s number one choice for the position at the start of the season, but following a hand injury, ended up losing his place to Luke Southwood.
Globo Esporte doesn’t mention any potential destinations for the goalkeeper, although the news had an impact in Brazil with many fans asking their sides to sign him, especially Santos, for whom he won the Copa Libertadores alongside Neymar back in 2011.
