Sources: Reading step up Amadou Mbengue contract talks as rivals circle
Reading are in talks with Amadou Mbengue over a new deal in a bid to fend off growing interest in the defender, sources have told Football Insider.
The 20-year-old has been a standout performer for Reading in recent weeks, starting seven of their last eight games, including scoring the winner against Coventry City last time out.
The Senegal Under-23 international, who joined Reading in September on a free transfer, only signed a short-term deal until January.
Mbengue's impressive form and contract situation has alerted a number of Reading's Championship rivals to his potential availability in January.
Reading are desperate to keep hold of the central defender and are stepping up talks to try and tie down Mbengue to a new long-term contract.
Mbengue has made nine total appearances for Reading this season with seven of those being from the start.
He has now played every minute of the club's last eight league games apart from the game against Preston on 4 November, which he sat out completely.
The defender came through the youth system at French side Metz and made his professional debut on 3 October 2021 during a 3–2 away loss against Angers.
When Mbengue first joined Reading, Head of Football Operations, Mark Bowen said: “Amadou has been very patient and professional during the weeks he has spent around the first team group out on the training pitches and he has earned this short-term deal with the club."
This came after he spent a number of weeks training with the first team without a contract.