Nathan Tella is closing in on a move to Championship side Reading, according to reports.

The 17-year-old winger, who has been told he will not receive a professional contract this summer, was granted permission to speak to other clubs as he aims to sort out his long-term future swiftly.

Tella has been unfortunate with injuries in recent seasons and despite showing adaptability to play in a range of different positions, there have always been question marks over whether he’d maintain match fitness throughout the league season.

Tella in action against Stoke back in December
BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 16: Arsenal’s Nathan Tella during the FA Youth Cup third-round match between Arsenal and Blackburn Rovers at Meadow Park. (Photo by David Price / Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

So why is he being let go?

Arsenal are eager to avoid a similar situation to the one which saw Savvas Mourgos and Aaron Eyoma sign professional terms but feature very sporadically in the u23 side this term.

Tella is undoubtedly talented but a number of attacking players are ahead of him in the pecking order for starting places.

Tella (no.7) in action against Tottenham u18s back in September last year
Tella (no.7) in action against Tottenham u18s back in September, where he started and created a number of chances in a 5-3 victory. (Picture: Tottenham’s official website)

Eyoma has since joined Dutch side Volendam on loan, whilst Mourgos has started two of the u23s last three matches as he’s gradually featuring more regularly. Despite this though, both will know that their long-term futures at Arsenal are under threat.

Reading find themselves second in the Barclays u18 Premier League table. With that in mind, their u23s are struggling in terms of both creativity and defensive displays. There’s no reason why Tella couldn’t prove a prized asset for them in attack as he prepares to make the progression through differing age-groups.

We’ll keep you updated on Tella’s progress and any further developments on this news story when they become available.